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One Heart That 
Never Ached 


BY KRESS KAIN 




BOSTON 

THE ROXBURGH PUBLISHING COMPANY 


(incorporated) 


CONTENTS. 


Chapter 

I. A Strange Mission to the Ever- 
glades 1 

II. Caught up by Flames 8 

III. A Night in the Everglades 15 

IV. An Angel starts for Chicago 29 

V. The Angel reaches Chicago 43 

VI. The Great Coastmyre Case 52 

VII. Preparations for the Trial 65 

VIII. The Trial Opens 75 

IX. Relieved at Last 87 

X. The Decision and Some Results. . . 95 

XL Tricks of Mine Promoters 110 

XII. Angel Voices 122 

XIII. A Great Mining Deal 135 

XIV. A Marvelous Performance 152 

XV. After the Wonderful Performance. 174 

XVI. Transformation of the Angel 189 

XVII. Plotting at the Mines 204 

XVIII. Ready to Touch Off 213 

XIX. The Transformation Completed 221 

XX. Return of the Transformed Angel. 229 


PREFACE. 


The heroine of this book, a real character, has 
been rightly named ''One Heart That Never 
Ached,'' the Third Wonder of the World born 
of Woman, The Incomparable Jesus, Joan of 
Arc, Joan Allgaits. Most indulgent reader, do 
not think the above remark sacrilege; remember 
the divine nature becomes every member of the 
race of man. Made a little lower than the 
angels, but through their immortal nature 
capable of attaining the plane of a God. Among 
such is this book sent forth for its Weal or its 
Woe. 


The Author. 


t 


CHAPTER I. 


A Strange Mission to the Everglades. 

In the year A. D. 1886 I was called to make 
a trip to Southwestern Florida. I had no objec- 
tions to visiting the country of mosquitoes, 
tadpoles, frogs, turtles, big snakes, alligators, 
jack-o’-lanterns and will-o’-the-wisps, but I dis- 
liked the mission I was to go on. However, I 
had been selected to make the trip and there 
was no alternative. After due preparation, on 
December 17th, in a heavy sleet and snow, with 
a keen Northeast wind, I took the train at 
Chicago on the C. & E. I. for Evansville, Ind. 
Here I changed to the L. & N. via Birmingham 
for Montgomery, Ala. There I changed to the 
A. T. L. Coast Line to Valdosta, Ga., and there 
I took the A. C. I. down to Punta Gorda, Fla. 
This last named railroad runs down Peas River, 
crossing it twice, the mouth of which is Char- 
lotte Harbor, ‘'hard by” Punta Gorda. One 
peculiar feature of Punta Gorda is, the houses 
are all built on the same pattern and near the 
same size; also, the people look so much alike 
you would think them all akin. 

I found the hotel by the idle crowd lounging 
around the front. I called for rooms and was 
shown into a little dingy back room opening 


2 One Heart That Never Ached. 

on the garden. I changed my traveling garb 
for something like a wood-chopper’s attire, more 
suited to the climate. I came out and asked 
the proprietor where I could get a job. 

‘‘There is nothing much going on here now, 
but if you were over on Big Cypress Swamp 
you might get a job.” 

“How far is that?” said I. 

“Thirty miles, when you can go through and 
cross Caloosahatchee, and about seventy-five 
around by water. But, as it is uncertain about 
getting a job over there, if you can rive pickets 
I will give you a job that you can make your 
keep, if you want to stop over awhile.” 

I had no idea what he meant, but I told him 
I could rive pickets all right, so we closed the 
bargain. I was to rive four thousand pickets for 
a month’s keep. I still knew nothing about what 
I had agreed to do, but it was necessary for 
me in some way to get in sympathy with those 
tallow-faced idlers, if I made a success of my 
mission. One clause of the contract required 
the employer to furnish the tools and timber cut. 
He loaded the tools into a wheelbarrow, a poleax, 
a wooden maul, a hand mallet, an iron wedge, 
three dogwood “gluts” and a froe. Now, the 
last named tool looked to me more like a grub 
hoe with the edge on the side and the handle 
put in the wrong way, than any thing I could 
think of. How it was to be used I had not 
the faintest idea. 

My employer led the way and I followed. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 3 

wrestling with the wheelbarrow. We passed 
around a small field into a cypress grove. Here 
he showed me some logs about five feet long 
and a foot and a half through, which he called 
“cuts.’’ 

“This,” said he, “is the timber; the pickets 
are to be made three inches wide and three- 
quarters thick.” He then left me to my ignor- 
ance of how to begin. Having seen a few poplar 
trees split into furnace wood, I supposed that 
was what he called riving. 

I took my ax and tried to start it as I had 
seen wood-choppers do, but it was no start. Then 
I took the iron wedge and with the maul drove 
it up. The wood was lockey and stringy. I 
drove in all my wooden wedges, then the ax 
and last the froe. The stick was still hard 
fast together and so were all my tools. I was 
as wet as if I had fallen into the creek. The 
gong sounded for dinner and I had not made a 
picket. My hands were blistered; my shoulders 
ached, and my wrists cramped. 

I started to dinner. As I began to cool off 
every joint in my body became stiff and sore. 
When I came in sight of the loungers they began 
to quiz, 

“How many pickets did you make?” 

“Was the timber good?” 

“I’ll bet four bits he made three hundred,” 
said one fellow. 

“In good timber I can make four hundred a 
day,” said another. 


4 One Heart That Never Ached. 

I passed through the crowd, my clothes drip- 
ping with perspiration. I bathed my hands and 
face and went to the mirror to dress my hair. 
My face was as red as a beet; my clothes so 
soiled I was ashamed to go in the dining room. 

During the meal I was asked where I came 
from. I answered, ‘‘Chicago.’’ At this a quiet 
young man said: 

“My name is Weber; what is yours?” 

I replied, “My name is Joe Turpin.” 

“Are you the man making the pickets?” said 
Weber. 

“Yes. I contracted to make four thousand,” 
said I. 

“That’s queer,” said he, “about fifteen years 
ago a fellow by the name of Allgaits came here 
from Chicago and took a job to make four 
thousand pickets, but he never split one cut 
open.” 

“Had he any family?” said I. 

“He had one little girl, the queerest thing in 
the world. She was three years old when he 
came down here,” said he. 

“Where are they now,” said I. 

“They are somewhere over on the Everglades,” 
said he. I was more interested in this dim trail 
of the object of my mission than I was about 
getting my tools out of that cypress log. 

“Do you ever work at making pickets ?” said I. 

“Sometimes^ if the price is good,” said he. 

“How much will you charge to help me this 
afternoon?” said I. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 5 

‘‘A dollar and a half/’ said he. So I employed 
him, not so much for what he could do, as for 
what he might say. When we got to the log 
with all the tools mauled into it I thought the 
fellow would have a fit. He simply rolled on 
the ground and bellowed like a dying calf. As 
he got up trying to straighten his face, he said, 

‘Ts that all you did this morning?” 

‘"Yes,” said I. ‘Tt was late when I got out 
this morning.” He roared out again, reeled and 
staggered around and said: 

‘'You cannot split cypress that way; you have 
to split it basket fashion.” 

He mauled and pestled around until he got 
the ax out, then chopped and mauled the froe 
out, and with the maul, ax, and froe finally 
loosened the iron wedge. Then he took the ax 
and maul and cut a straight line with the grain 
of the wood and full length of the log. Three 
inches from this he cut another. He then set 
the iron wedge with the grain of the wood and 
started a slab one inch thick, including the bark. 
Then he ran the froe under the slab, and work- 
ing the handle up and down split the slab off 
the same size from end to end. This process 
he continued until only the heart of the log was 
left. In this way he rived about one hundred 
and fifty, and we started to the hotel. 

On the way I asked him to tell me about that 
queer little girl of Allgaits’. 

“Well,” he said, “she had the hardest time of 
any mortal I ever heard of, and she was the 


6 One Heart That Never Ached. 

happiest being I ever met in my life. She sang 
like a bird and had a glad look on her face 
all the time.’’ 

‘'Was she pretty?” 

“Well now,” said he, “you cannot think about 
how she looks when you are where she is. It 
is like looking at a jackdaw and listening to a 
nightengale. You know she is grown now, but 
she still has a child’s heart. Well, now, I just 
cannot describe her ; you have to see her to know 
any thing about her, she is so queer.” By this 
time I had decided to throw up my job and start 
for the Everglades, and said: 

“How would you like to take a trip over to 
that watery country?” 

“I wll go anywhere for money enough,” said 
he. 

“If we should be over there a month how 
much wages would you ask?” said I. 

“If you furnish the keep and cartage I want 
twenty-five dollars,” said he. I closed the deal 
with him and called the proprietor and said: 

“I shall have to throw up my job.” 

“I cannot let you off ; I must have the pickets,” 
he said. 

“I cannot make them, so that is the end of 
the matter.” 

“Then you must have them made, or I will 
sue you and put you to the cost and damage.” 
Weber came to my relief and said: 

“If you don’t mind paying a little premium 
I will take the job off your hands.” 


One Heart That Never Ached. 7 

‘‘How much do you ask?’’ said I. 

‘‘Twenty dollars,” said Weber. I paid him on 
the spot and he settled with the proprietor by 
paying him ten dollars. Then the old skin-flint 
charged me three dollars board. When I remon- 
strated he said: 

“If you had filled your contract you would be 
a regular boarder; if you quit you are a tran- 
sient.” 

Next morning we had our luggage carted 
down to the landing where we found a little 
sailing craft, “Louise,” ready to make a trip down 
to Naples, a small burg on the coast at the edge 
of Big Cypress Swamp. After higgle-haggling 
with the skipper about the fare and overplus of 
baggage we were off for the Everglades. 


CHAPTER 11. 


Caught up by Flames. 

While Joe Turpin and Dick Weber make the 
sail down to Naples we will drop back to 
Chicago, A. D. 1869. In that year an old couple 
by the name of Coastmyre came to Chicago and 
bought a large property fronting on the river, 
from which you could see every boat that passed 
or landed. It was known to their neighbors that 
Mr. Coastmyre met every large vessel and 
watched the landing of all passengers, but was 
never known to make an inquiry. When return- 
ing from these seemingly fruitless visits the good 
wife would be standing in the door until he came 
in sight and silently shook his head. Then she 
would go sorrowfully about her cares. 

Thus time passed for two years, and the 
neighbors knew no more of the Coastmyre’s than 
at first. On April 6th, 1871, an old rickety 
stern-wheeler landed and the first passenger 
ashore was a brawny, weatherbeaten sailor. In 
one hand he lugged a great seaman’s bag; in 
the other he carried a weasly little child. The 
old man eyed him carefully until he was in a 
few feet of him, then with a groan, he said : 

‘‘Allgaits, where is our daughter?” 

Allgaits dropped his bag and sank to his knees 
and cried: 


One Heart That Never Ached. 9 


‘'Oh my God, is it you? We thought you were 
all dead!’’ 

“Where is Isedora?” said the old man. 

“She was buried at sea four days ago,” said 
Allgaits. At this the old man bowed to the 
ground and moaned like one dying. Allgaits 
placed the little one’s bony arms around his neck 
and said: 

“Grandpa, take this dear child. I am not fit 
to keep it one minute longer. I am too rough 
to handle a tender little thing like this; besides, 
she is starving to death. I do not know what to 
feed it, or how to feed it; but she never cries 
or makes any noise.” 

Mr. Coastmyre raised up and pulled the little 
claws from around his neck and looked into the 
little pinched face. The baby smiled and reached 
for his neck again. When he looked into those 
little eyes, sparkling with love and gladness, his 
heart melted, and he put his great arms around 
the tiny form and kissed its smiling lips. The 
little wonder was now shaking with innocent 
laughter, clinging to his neck like the very es- 
sence of affection. 

With his eyes brimming with tears and his 
heart gushing over with love he started for the 
cottage. Allgaits took up his heavy bag and 
followed, feeling great relief from the care of 
the tender, precious charge. The good old 
mother met them at the door and was speechless 
for she recognized Allgaits, and seeing the old 
man carrying the little one, she knew something 


10 One Heart That Never Ached. 


was wrong. Mr. Coastmyre approached his dear 
old wife, unable to speak. He placed the little 
one in her arms. At first she seemed to shrink 
from it, but when the little creature smiled and 
hooked its little arms around her neck, her heart 
yearned; she kissed it and started in the house. 
Allgaits cleared his throat and said: 

“Dear Grandma, Isedora was buried at sea four 
days ago, and the little one hasn't eaten a thimble 
full since. I knew not what to feed it or how 
to feed it: in God’s name give it something to 
eat.” 

Mrs. Coastmyre got some fresh milk and 
light toast and the little one ate like a starved 
cat. When she had eaten what the Grandmother 
thought good for her she put away the dish. The 
little one watched the dish wistfully until it was 
covered up. Then she began cheerfully to chat- 
ter and jabber, apparently the only happy being 
on the place. Finally she fell asleep, the peaceful 
slumber of the innocent and the good. 

Then Allgaits began and told the sad story of 
how he lost his money gambling. Then how he 
lost his job, was turned out of doors for want 
of rent. How his brave wife worked and suf- 
fered for shelter, food and clothes. When their 
clothes were worn out, how she mended and 
patched their frail threadbare garments. How 
she tried to make preparations for the little 
stranger; how tenderly she cared for it, and 
under trials not to be mentioned until the old 
skipper, through pure pity, offered free passage 


One Heart That Never Ached. 11 

on the ‘‘Jayhawker.’’ How happy she was 
aboard the creaky old vessel ; how she ministered 
to the wretched passengers when fever broke out, 
and finally, when the voyage was most over, she 
was suddenly stricken and died. Here he broke 
down and could tell no more. And the old couple 
were glad of it for they could hear no more. 

This was the last conversation ever held be- 
tween the parties of this sad story. The good 
old mother, without further understanding, took 
full charge of the queer little child. The old 
gentleman never afterward seemed to know that 
Allgaits was on the place. He moped about and 
tried to see that the old lady and babe had 
every necessary. While Allgaits drummed the 
town every day for something to do. 

Thus, time dragged on till October 9th, 1871, 
when that awful fire reached this strange home. 
After the fire had raged all day the 8th, in early 
morning of the 9th, the wind had shifted and a 
fresh gale sprang up. With lightning speed that 
awful cloud of black smoke and lurid flame 
rushed like an avalanche upon the Coastmyre 
home. Allgaits, in the midst of rescuers and fire 
fighters, trying to save the city that had refused 
him work, heard the roar and crash of the furious 
outbreak of fresh flames. With a great pike hook 
in hand he bolted for the Coastmyre home. 

When he came in sight the house was literally 
baptized in swirling flame and smoke. As he 
leaped over the garden wall at the rear of the 
house he heard an agonizing shriek and the 


12 One Heart That Never Ached. 

flames stooped over and licked up the shrubbery 
in the yard. He saw a little bundle drop over 
the garden wall. The flames lapped back over 
and sheared the garden clean of vegetation, 
singeing his clothes, hair and eyebrows. As the 
flames reared and bent over the other way the 
smoke lifted and he saw the little bundle hud- 
dling against the garden wall. He dashed for- 
ward and clasped it in his arms. It was still 
breathing and trying to smile, with its little 
shriveled face crisped and discolored with fire, 
hair singed off and clothes scorched. When he 
reached safety the little one screeched out: 

'‘Grandpa and Grandmamma went up in a 
chariot of fire, like the old prophet.” 

As she wailed out this strange expression 
Allgaits shuddered and pressed her closer to his 
heart. When the fire died out the skeletons of 
the old couple were found hugged in each other’s 
arms by the side of the garden wall where the 
little one was dropped over. 

She was not allowed to see these grewsome 
remains, or to hear anything of the awful fate 
of her grandparents, hence she retained that 
strange delusion through childhood and youth. 
And even when reason began to assert control 
of her mind she gave it up as large children 
give up the reality of "Santa Claus.” And it 
is believed she secretly retained it through life. 
She has been known several times to take great 
delight in telling it to juvenile audiences. When 
she was in proper mood and had opportunity she 
told it like this: 


One Heart That Never Ached. 13 

^'Papa was gone out to look for work and 
Grandpapa and Grandmamma were singing and 
praying, and as the great fiery chariot came up 
they started out to meet it, and Grandpapa picked 
me up to take me to heaven with them, but he 
saw papa coming and dropped me over the garden 
wall for papa. Grandmamma was shouting and 
Grandpapa was laughing, and they went sailing 
up into the skies. And there were ten thousand 
angels flying around them, singing and playing 
harps of gold.” 

How this awful tragedy photographed such a 
scene on the mind of this queer child no one 
knows. It is barely possible she was so near the 
border of the glorious realm that she saw in 
reality what seems to our coarser natures to be 
a delusion. 

Allgaits took the little suffering mite to the 
nearest hospital and had its burns dressed, and 
then disappeared, and it was supposed the child 
died. The only thing on record was that the 
child was rescued from the Coastmyre home and 
all other occupants perished, and that she was 
brought there by Allgaits, her father, and the 
Coastmyres were the grandparents. 

All trace of Allgaits and the little burnt child 
ended at the hospital record until May 4th, 1886, 
in that terrible tragedy afterwards called ‘‘The 
hay-market riot.” During the excitement that 
followed the slaughter of seven policemen and 
the wounding of sixty others by a bomb sup- 
posed to have been thrown by Schnaubelt. One 


14 One Heart That Never Ached. 

Denis Waynwell was arrested as a suspect. 
From papers found on his person it was apparent 
that he was a kind of a jackleg lawyer. Among 
the papers was a letter postmarked at Punta 
Gorda, Florida, and signed Conway Allgaits. 

This letter was in reference to the Coastmyre 
property, claiming Joan Allgaits as sole heir, be- 
ing now about eighteen years old. Another paper 
was found indicating that Waynwell had received 
hush money from parties in possession of the 
Coastmyre property. 

About this time the “Chicago drainage canal” 
was being agitated, and an engineer had been em- 
ployed to make a preliminary survey. When 
he encountered the Coastmyre property he was 
estopped by a Mr. J. Loophold. This brought 
the matter into court and it was evident that 
Mr. J. Loophold’s title was fictitious. 

The attorney for the commissioners secured 
the letter taken from Waynwell and copied the 
records at the hospital. With this data he called 
on the Pinkertons and closed a bargain with them 
to present Miss Joan Allgaits at court in Chicago 
identified as grand-daughter and heir of the 
Coastmyres. For this service he agreed to pay 
five thousand dollars and expenses. 

The chief called a council of his force and after 
deliberating, deputed one of the keenest young 
men on the list to the task, charging him to pro- 
ceed with all possible speed. And thus on the 
17th of December, 1886, Joe Turpin started for 
Punta Gorda, Florida. 


CHAPTER III. 


A Night in the Everglades. 

The '‘Louise’’ was gliding over the ruffled water 
with a sharp breeze in her favor when Turpin 
and Weber began to discuss means of getting 
from Naples over to the Everglades. A swarthy 
looking passenger "butted in” and said : 

"If you want to go from Naples across Big 
Cypress Swamp to the Everglades I am about 
the onliest one that’s got a rig for the trip 
this time of the year.” 

"What will you charge to take us over there?” 
said Turpin. 

"Ten or eleven dollars; it depends on the 
amount of luggage and the weather,” said the 
passenger. 

"What does the weather have to do with the 
price,” said Turpin. 

"Every thing, most. I ought to know; I’ve 
been carrying people over there about fifteen 
years,” said the passenger. 

"How long does it take to make the trip?” 
said Turpin. 

"Well, now, that depends more on the weather 
than anything else,” said the passenger. 

"How is that?” said Turpin. 

"Why, you see them sloughs get up, and you 


16 One Heart That Never Ached. 


have to swim and wade slush and mire for miles, 
and sometimes carry your luggage on your back 
good distances,” said the passenger. 

‘‘What sort of a rig have you?” said Turpin. 

“Why I have the best steer you ever pulled 
a rope over and as good a sculler as ever slid 
across any swamp,” said the passenger. 

“What do you mean? Do you call the oars 
a steer?” asked Turpin. 

“Well, now, you must be from Chicago, the 
most outlandish place in the world; don’t know 
what a steer is? I reckon you are all foreigners 
of one sort or another. The first man I carried 
over there had an outlandish name ; he was from 
Chicago and didn’t know what a steer was. He 
called it an ox, and called the yoke harness,” 
said the passenger. 

“What was his name?” said Turpin. 

“Allgaits, he had the curiousest child I ever 
saw ; she didn’t look like a human, but she could 
sing like an angel,” said the passenger. At this 
another bloodless looking fellow stepped up and 
said : 

“Talking about that girl of Allgaits, why she 
is the trump of the world. Nobody knows that 
she is human. She doesn’t look line one; she 
sings like an angel and talks like a prophetess. 
Last summer I was going across the Everglades 
to take Undertree’s runaway horse home and the 
sloughs were full and the mire was at its worst. 
The horse fagged. Dark came just as I crossed 
Alligator Slough and started up Crockodile 


One Heart That Never Ached. 17 

Bayou. The horned owls were hooting in the 
dense forest, and the screech owls were uttering 
their shrill quivering chirrup in the clumps of 
trees. A lone grey wolf set up a mournful howl 
in the distance. I could hear the crunching croak 
of the alligators over in Mud Lake, and occa- 
sionally the familiar note of the whippoorwill in 
the underbrush. Three or four large jack-o'lan- 
terns were waltzing around over Snake Basin and 
a giant will-o’-the-wisp was shying around a 
great pile of drift wood. I was feeling like I 
had swallowed a pan full of live frogs and some- 
body poured a basketful of crawfish down my 
back.” 

'‘That horse was so tired he could scarcely put 
one foot before the other. Just as I was passing 
around Canary Mound that queer girl of Allgaits’ 
broke out with one of the sweetest songs I ever 
heard. And then I knew for the first time why 
Paul never told how he felt in the seventh 
heaven. He just naturally couldn’t. I cannot 
even try to explain my feelings. Why, sirs, that 
horse was plum paralyzed ; not another step 
could I move him. When the song stopped All- 
gaits heard me thumping the critter and he came 
out and hailed me and said, 'Get down off that 
dead horse ; he looks to have been dead two hours. 
Get off of him and slue him around and bail a 
lot of wind out of him; get some ballast into 
him and anchor him for the night and he may 
be able to travel again.’ 

“I got off and turned his head towards the 


18 One Heart That Never Ached. 

feed lot and then he moved. We took off the 
rig, fed him and went in. Well, now, I am not 
going to try to describe that guirl, but when she 
spoke I thought somebody had picked a harp 
string. Oh, no mistake, she is the trump of the 
world.’’ 

The interesting part of this story to Turpin 
was the part referring to the object of his trip. 
Another four hours’ sail landed them at Naples. 
As soon as their luggage was ashore, Jonas 
Reynolds, this was the name of the passenger 
who had the rig, went post haste for his outfit. 
They had not long to wait. He came driving up 
with one steer hitched to a conveyance. It might 
have been taken for either a wagon, a sleigh 
or a boat. It had wheels and shafts; it also 
had runners, and yet the shape and build of a 
boat. 

Without knowing which they were to pay, ten 
or eleven dollars, the luggage was loaded in and 
a seat placed for the two passengers. With the 
driver in front, whip and rope in hand, they 
started for the Everglades. The steer, though 
a great lumbering animal, was eager to go and 
the road led right into the forest bordering Big 
Cypress Swamp. About the middle of the after- 
noon they came to the Bullbat Slough. At first 
the wheels sank down in the mire until the 
runners were flat on the ground, and they were 
sliding along as if the conveyance was made for 
that kind of road. Next the steer was halfside 
deep in water and the conveyance was floating 


One Heart That Never Ached. 19 

like any boat. Soon the steer stuck out his nose 
and was swimming awkwardly along, but the 
wagon, sleigh, boat, floated along as evenly as 
ever. The steer began to pull at his feet and rise 
out of the water, the wheels began to turn and 
bring up mud; finally they were sliding along 
in mud. 

At last the road became firmer and the wheels 
rose up, rolling as at first. Here they came to 
a patch of cypress knees. The road was crooked 
and narrow. The knees were too high for the 
axles to pass over them. Often they had to get 
out and pry the wagon up, and sometimes they 
had to chop down the tallest. By the time they 
were out of the knees the sun had disappeared 
behind a great cloud of tree tops. Dusk was 
coming on, owls were hooting, frogs croaking, 
wolves howling, mosquitoes humming and snakes 
hissing in every direction. 

They came to a mound of some five acres in 
extent, comparatively dry ground but surrounded 
by a low flat marsh. Here the driver told them 
they must camp for the night. He took out the 
steer, hobbled and belled him and turned him 
loose to browse. He then got out his grub, 
kindled a fire and prepared supper. While eating 
supper Jonas Reynolds gave them the following 
story : 

‘T suppose you knew we were on historic 
ground. This is Black Hawk Mound. Here 
Black Hawk, the mighty chief of the Sac and 
Fox Indians, assembled a thousand picked war- 


20 One Heart That Never Ached. 

riors and took a murderous oath over four 
hundred bloody scalps of pale faces to exter- 
minate the white race. That took place in 1831 ; 
since then settlers and travelers have witnessed 
wondrous things around this mound.’’ 

At the close of this remark he pointed toward 
the nearest edge of the mound where numbers 
of great balls of phosphoric lights were fairly 
bubbling out of the ground. Some chased one 
another around in circles; others moved olf in 
straight lines for a distance and turned at right 
angles. At the further side of the mound, among 
other noises, could be distinctly heard the yaping 
of a grey fox. In another direction three mon- 
ster will-o’-the-wisps were seesawing and bo- 
peeping around the great forest trees. These 
weird sights quickened the superstitious chord 
of the imagination and shrieks, screams, moans 
and groans were mingled with the soughing of 
the wind in the tree tops, the buzz of mosquitoes, 
the croaking of a thousand frogs, making the 
night hideous. 

To one not used to such surroundings this 
was an experience long to be remembered and 
never to be desired. The night literally wore 
away, and if such a state should be called sleep, 
that was filled with most horrid dreams of Indian 
attacks, sword thrusts, tomahawk wounds, scalp- 
ing scenes, blood, cries of women and children 
for help and the war whoop of savages. When 
day came it was not light on account of a dense 
fog. The trees were dripping like a May shower. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 21 

Jonas prepared breakfast and after the meal 
caught the steer, hitched up, loaded in their be- 
dewed bedding and baggage and again took up 
the journey. 

On examination Turpin and Weber found 
themselves tatooed all over with mosquito bites. 
Every variety of mosquito thrives well here — the 
black legged, the speckled winged, the ball faced 
and the gallinipper. The black legged mosquito 
has the longest, keenest bill, and bites so slowly, 
skilfully and easily you never know he is about 
until he turns loose and then you think you are 
stung by a yellow jacket. The speckled winged 
makes his incision at one thrust and if not 
knocked off, fills himself instantly, and you never 
know he is gone until you see a bump with a 
speck of blood oozed out in the middle. But 
the ball faced has a coarser bill with larger saws, 
and you know where he is located all the time, 
and also when he turns loose. The gallinipper 
is three times the size of other mosquitoes. His 
bill is much longer in proportion, and he is gen- 
erally biting you by the time you hear his wings 
and you think he is biting for the next hour. 
I think these pests were largely the cause of the 
ugly dreams of the night on Black Hawk Mound. 

About eleven o'clock they came to the edge of 
the Everglades. This is a marshy tract of coun- 
try one hundred and sixty miles long, with an 
average of sixty miles wide. Although the 
greater part is covered with water there are many 
moss-covered mounds, and mounds of rushes and 


22 One Heart That Never Ached. 

clumps of trees, looking like islands interspersed 
all over the whole territory. 

After traveling several miles over this level, 
watery plain they came in sight of one of these 
mounds that looked to be about three miles long. 
On this little flat ridge there were three cabins, 
and Jonas told them the second one was the All- 
gaits' home. They drove past the first house set- 
ting back in a grove, and on approaching the 
second one, a thick set, round shouldered fellow 
met them at the gate. 

‘‘How-do-you-do Mr. Allgaits,” said Jonas. 
“Here is Mr. Turpin and Mr. Weber from 
Punta Gorda.” 

“How are you, gents; will you get out and 
come in?” said Allgaits. Turpin and Weber got 
out of the conveyance and shook hands with Mr. 
Allgaits, and Turpin said: 

“Mr. Allgaits, I am here on special business 
with you and your daughter.” 

“Come in the house then, sir, Joan will be glad 
to see you,” said Allgaits. They entered the 
house and Allgaits stepped to the door of a little 
side room and called: 

“Joan!” 

She answered: “Yes, father.” 

He said: “Mr. Turpin is here and says he 
has special business with us; please come in.” 
The door opened and she stepped in. 

^ Allgaits said : “My daughter, Joan, Mr. Tur- 
pin; Mr. Weber, Joan.” 

The young lady was plainly but neatly dressed. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 23 


though a little oddly, for she had on a small 
Quaker bonnet with a thick brown veil over 
her face. Her curt little bow as, she recog- 
nized the gentleman, her odd head dress and 
her musical voice, as she said: ‘T am happy to 
see you,’’ at once impressed Joe Turpin that she 
was a most wonderful character. Without fur- 
ther preliminaries Turpin said : 

‘‘Miss Allgaits, I came down from Chicago to 
get you to come up there to be identified as the 
granddaughter and heir of the lamented Coast- 
myres.” 

“To what purpose should I pursue such a 
course?” said Joan. 

“That you come in possession of a large estate 
that awaits your identification in court,” said 
Turpin. 

“I do not need the estate, nor do I wish to 
go to Chicago and attend court,” said Joan. 

“Perhaps you do not know the value of the 
property. It is an immense estate ; several blocks 
fronting the river, either one of which is a for- 
tune,” said Turpin. 

“But, sir, I have my little pets here, and my 
few neighbors. They are all natives here, and 
I could not think of leaving them, and to take 
them from their happy homes would be cruel,” 
said Joan. 

“Miss Allgaits, the income from the Coastmyre 
estate is at least twenty thousand dollars a year, 
and it is believed it could easily be made to yield 
fifty thousand,” said Turpin. 


24 One Heart That Never Ached. 

‘‘But, Mr. Turpin, people with these large in- 
comes unearned are not happy, neither do they 
make others happy,’' said Joan. 

“One like you with such an income would be 
happy in a place like Chicago; you could make 
thousands happy,” said Turpin. 

“You do not know that, Mr. Turpin. If great 
wealth unearned makes others proud and selfish, 
dries up their compassion and makes them op- 
press the poor and helpless, I do not wish to 
make the experiment,” said Joan. Another side 
door opened and a grizzled old man stood before 
them. Allgaits rose and said: 

“I will introduce you to Captain Granby, Mr. 
Turpin, and this is Mr. Weber, Captain.” The 
old skipper bowed politely, took a seat and said, 

“Mr. Turpin, you may as well give up your 
undertaking. I know this child ; she is nothing 
less than a paragon, the only living specimen in 
the world. You may, with my help and that of 
her father, persuade her to transfer her great 
patrimony to some benevolent association, or to 
bequeath it to some charitable institution. But, 
sir, she will never consent to subject her pure, 
sweet, holy life to the corroding influence of 
what she calls unearned wealth.” 

“Father Granby,” said Turpin, “I am sur- 
prised that you take a view like that of such 
a matter. In the first place she must go to 
Chicago and be identified at court before she 
can transfer any part of the property to any- 
one. In the second place, from your own state- 


One Heart That Never Ached. 25 

merit and her straightforward remarks, the only 
reasonable conclusion any person could come to, 
would be that she herself is the only living 
person who could be trusted to use this estate 
as she would wish it used.’’ 

''You do not understand me, sir. It is not my 
opinion at all of the matter in hand that I 
speak of, but her convictions. I myself have 
very different convictions of such matters. Had 
I claims on such an estate I would quickly make 
them good and take possession of the property, 
though I have a small hoard laid by for a rainy 
day,” said the captain. 

"Now you encourage me to expect your as- 
sistance in convincing this dear young lady to 
proceed at once to take charge of this magnifi- 
cent property,” said Turpin. 

"If you knew this child as I do you would 
not expect too much of an old sailor like me, but 
I assure you you have my best wishes,” said the 
captain. 

"Besides the objections already expressed,” 
said Joan, "we had a letter from Denis Wayn- 
well, the lawyer, stating that most of the prop- 
erty once belonging to grandfather is now owned 
and occupied by wealthy people, and that if any 
of it might be gained it would cost all it is worth. 
These people are no doubt happier in their pos- 
session than I would be, and I am sure I am 
happier without their possessions than I would 
be with them. So what is the use to make all 
of us unhappy because grandfather once owned 
the property.” 


26 One Heart That Never Ached. 

‘Tf those people owned the property you could 
not take it from them because your grandfather 
once owned it; but because they do not own 
it, and are trying to keep your grandfather’s 
heir from getting the property, you ought to go 
at once and take over your own,” said Turpin. 

“Yes, Joan, since hearing Mr. Turpin’s state- 
ment,” the old captain said, “I insist that you 
go up at once, make proof and take charge of 
the estate. I will stay here and take care of 
your pets and flowers and visit your neighbors 
for you.” 

“Well,” she said, “if I may do as I please 
with the property, and leave it when I please, 
I may go.” 

“You can certainly do as you please with 
what is your own, and as for leaving it you 
will be able to live anywhere on earth you 
desire,” said Turpin. 

“Then, if papa thinks I ought, I will go,” said 
Joan. 

Allgaits spoke in a dry, solemn manner, and 
said: “Daughter, you had better consider this 
matter well. We are now happy and content ; all 
our relations are pleasant, our wants amply sup- 
plied, and we are peculiarly adapted to our envir- 
onments. To come in possesion of such enormous 
wealth, move to a great city and become en- 
tangled with the demoralizing customs and in- 
fluences incident thereto would be a great change 
from our present conditions. And unless an 
equal change may be wrought in us, I fear the 


One Heart That Never Ached. 27 

consequences would be for the worse every 
way.’’ 

‘‘Then, father,” said Joan, “I will take the 
night to decide. Mr. Turpin, I will let you know 
in the morning.” 

Turpin and Weber went out to Jonas, who was 
kindling a camp fire. 

“Well,” said Jonas, “when will you be ready 
for the return trip?” 

“Early tomorrow morning,” said Turpin. 

“I am not so sure of that,” said Weber, “if 
you expect to take Miss Joan with you.” 

After the strangers left the room. Allgaits in 
a more serious manner said: “My daughter, 
before you make your decision I wish to tell 
you that by every relation I have had with the 
Coastmyres I have come to grief. I am not 
superstitious, but I feel it were better for me 
if I come not in contact with that estate. So 
in making your decision leave me out all 
together.” 

“All right, father. I shall decide to-night ; have 
no fears of the consequences for I shall decide 
aright for all parties concerned.” 

While the campers were eating supper they 
heard a burst of vocal music issuing from the 
cabin incomparable to anything they had ever 
heard. 

“I candidly believe the angels visit this place,” 
said Turpin. 

“More likely one lives here,” said Weber. 

“One thing sure, neither that voice or music 


28 One Heart That Never Ached. 


is human/’ said Jonas. At the close of the 
second song the old skipper came out and said : 

‘‘Mr. Turpin, I congratulate you on your suc- 
cess; the child is going with you.” 

'‘Do you mean she has decided already?” said 
Turpin. 

"Yes, sir; she is now packing her trunk. You 
may get ready for an early start and save camp- 
ing in the swamp,” said the captain. 

Next morning at daylight breakfast was over, 
both in the cabin and at the camp, and Jonas 
had the steer hitched up ready for the return. 
Joan came out and said: 

"Mr. Turpin, I am ready to start when you 
are.” 

Allgaits called Turpin and Weber in the house 
and said: 

"Gentlemen, believing your interest in this 
matter entirely unselfish, I have consented for 
Joan to act upon her own convictions. Yet with 
all my confidence in you, were it not a fact 
that in all her life Joan has never made a mis- 
take about what was right and best, I should 
hesitate. Since I have learned to be governed 
by her strong convictions, no cloud of sorrow 
has come over our lives and every little enter- 
prise has been a happy success. And I trust the 
gods of the land and the sea will prosper your 
journey. I and the captain will come up to 
Chicago early in the spring.” 


CHAPTER IV. 


An Angel Starts for Chicago. 

Joan tossed a light roll of bedding into the 
room, and with a small hand bag in one hand, 
she came, pushing with her foot, a trunk about 
thirty-two by sixteen by twenty- four inches. She 
was dressed neat as a princess, in her little 
Quaker blue bonnet, a thick brown veil over her 
face, a cotton gingham dress with the skirt 
rather exiguous. This little trunk, roll of bed- 
ding, and hand bag contained everything inani- 
mate, this queer girl had ever owned, including 
her first and last doll and her precious little 
keepsakes with the tiniest clothes she could re- 
member to have worn 

At her motion Weber took the roll of bedding 
under his arm, one end of the trunk in the other 
hand; Turpin took the hand bag and the other 
end of the trunk and they started for the con- 
veyance. Father and daughter stood motionless 
and speechless till the men were out, then All- 
gaits said: 

^‘Well, dear, you must sing us one more song.” 

Instantly a burst of most heavenly music made 
the welkin ring for a half-mile round. Turpin 
and Weber placed the luggage in the conveyance 
and stood stock still, entranced by the melodies 


30 One Heart That Never Ached. 

that filled the air. The rapturous voice rose 
and fell with a sweet cadence, trilled, echoed 
and welled up in volume and sweetness, glory 
and grandeur. As the music rose higher and 
higher, Turpin involuntarily said: 

‘'Do I hear a quartette, or is it the voices of 
a whole choir 

“There may be but one singer but there are 
at least a score of voices,’’ said Weber. 

“Many or few, they are not human voices,” 
said Jonas. 

As the last refrain died away they all looked 
into the sky as if they expected to see a second 
ascension in the form of a convoy of angels. 
Joan came briskly out and as Turpin took her 
hand she stepped into the wagon as if she 
had springs in her shoes. Weber took his place 
by the driver, leaving his former seat for their 
angelic recruit. Jonas pulled his rope, cracked 
his whip and the steer went shambling off down 
the road. 

“Can we make it to the Naples to-night?” 
said Turpin. 

“By using two hours moonshine we can,” said 
Jonas. 

“It is all the same to me. I remember 
when you brought us over, Mr. Jonas, we camped 
on Black Hawk Mound and I had such funny 
dreams.” 

“I have always wanted to camp there again,” 
said Joan. 

“Looks like such a thick veil would trouble 
you about seeing,” said Turpin. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 31 

‘T am used to it, have to wear it to keep 
the mosquitoes off,” said Joan. 

‘‘When we leave Punta Gorda there will be 
no mosquitoes till spring. It was snowing in 
Chicago when I left there the seventeenth of 
December,” said Turpin. 

“I think I should like snow and ice. Do 
people suffer from cold up there?” said Joan. 

“Yes, poor people who haven’t sufficient cloth- 
ing, and often they get without fuel and suffer 
greatly,” said Turpin. 

“But I thought most people in cities were 
wealthy?” said Joan. 

“To the contrary, the poorest people in the 
world are in cities, the most helpless, and I may 
say the most improvident,” said Turpin. 

“But surely there are enough wealthy people 
to keep the poor from suffering,” said Joan. 

“Unfortunately they are not all working at it, 
and many people really suffer for necessaries 
and no doubt some die of want,” said Turpin. 

“Why I never heard of such a thing in the 
country. Are the intelligent wealthy people not 
Christians?” said Joan. 

“Perhaps many of them are, but very many 
of them are anything else,” said Turpin. 

“But there must be enough wealthy Christians 
to keep anyone from dying from want!” said 
Joan. 

“Well, in truth I have thought something of 
that myself, but we have organized charities to 
look after such things,” said Turpin. 


32 One Heart That Never Ached. 

At this time they were driving into one of 
those sloughs. Joan was much amused at the 
traits of the wagon as a sleigh and a boat, as the 
water deepened the steer straightened out his neck 
and began to swim, this much more amused her. 
They had no serious hindrances, therefore made 
better time than on the trip going over. Driving 
into Naples about seven o'clock, they learned 
the Louise would leave at six in the morning. 
When Turpin offered to settle with Jonas, he 
said: 

“Well now I reckon I will have to charge you 
eleven dollars. Still we came off right well, but 
mind you I do not charge anything for bringing 
the girl." 

Turpin counted him out the amount without 
a word and handed him a five dollar bill saying : 
“Take this for your provision and kindness." 
They took lodging at the “Travelers' Rest." 

It was soon known over the village that the 
“Sweet Singer of The Everglades" was in town. 
Immediately the whole population gathered and 
clamored for a song. Joan refused for quite a 
while, but the noise increased and at last she 
yielded and sent Turpin and Weber out to tell 
them to stop the noise and she would sing on 
condition that the noise should not be repeated. 

Instantly the clamor ceased, and as instantly 
the lights in her room were extinguished, and 
music poured out of that dark room in such 
volumes as are rarely heard from one pair of 
lungs. The song ended, the room was relighted 


One Heart That Never Ached. 33 


and there sat the little madonna with her face 
completely hid in her Quaker blue bonnet and the 
thick brown veil. One of the bystanders said : 

‘'Do you reckon she sang that song?’’ 

“Who else might?” said another. 

“Certain she did not through that veil, no more 
than if she had her head in a coffee sack, said 
the first. 

“No one ever saw her when singing, and many 
people believe angels do the singing for her,” 
said an old man. 

“That’s me; no little narrow, peaked chested 
thing like that ever had such a voice as that; 
and everyone that ever listened to such a song 
knows there are more than one voice in it,” said 
a bystander. The proprietor of the “Travelers’ 
Rest” came in and said: 

“Miss Joan, we have a handsome offer to 
make you.” 

“What can that be, my lord?” said Joan. 

“We are going to give you board and lodging, 
with your laundry, lights and fuel, and in addi- 
tion pay you twenty dollars a month to sing for 
us evenings through the whole winter,” said the 
proprietor. 

“Your offer is quite liberal, but I cannot accept 
it. I am on my way to Chicago,” said Joan. 
The proprietor took out a handful of small coin 
and said: 

“Here is a small token of the appreciation 
of the public; while you were singing the boys 
voluntarily handed this in for you.” Counting 


34 One Heart That Never Ached. 

the money as he placed it on the table before 
her, announcing the sum to be two dollars and 
thirty-five cents. Joan very promptly but cour- 
teously declined the stint, saying: 

'T never sing for money, nor have I ever 
thought of hiring myself out to sing for the 
public.” 

‘T think you have turned down the opportu- 
nity of your life,” said the proprietor. And he 
walked out among the crowd and it was soon 
known that Joan had refused the oflfer and de- 
clined the contribution. Men of all sorts were 
expressing themselves. One old man said: 

“There is where two fools met again. Why 
that's more money than the ablest-bodied man 
among us gets for chopping ten hours a day. 
Besides such warbling as that makes me sick. 
I want to hear people sing old-fashioned Anglo 
Saxon music. These French frills and furbelows, 
shivering, quavering trills and floundering 
flounces have no music in them for me.” 

Another spoke up and said: “Now, Uncle 
Joe, be honest; you like pure old ragtime sung 
by about six burly negroes, followed by a horse 
laugh that would clabber a churn of milk.” 

A finely dressed chap said: “That voice in a 
city where people have ears would command a 
thousand dollars a night.” 

“Stranger, did you know there is not a man 
here who ever saw that girl’s face; and more 
than that a few doubt that she is human,” said 
one. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 35 


‘'Never mind seeing her, hearing her is enough 
for anyone with ears,’’ said the well-dressed 
man. The evening passed ; the crowd dispersed, 
and the travelers retired. 

Early next morning Jonas appeared with a 
conveyance to carry the luggage down to the 
landing. When it was all loaded on the little 
boat, he said, 

‘T don’t charge you anything for this! it is 
an accommodation to my friends.” 

“You are very kind ; here is a suit of wood- 
choppers’ clothes. I wish, as a friend, to make 
you a present of them,” said Turpin. 

When Turpin came in to settle the fare, the 
captain of the “Louise” handed him back the 
change and Turpin said: 

“I am paying for three.” 

“For whom?” said the captain. 

“For myself, Weber and Miss Allgaits,” said 
Turpin. 

“You are not paying for Joan on my little 
unworthy craft,” said the captain. 

“Who else should pay her fare, as I have 
induced her to make the trip?” said Turpin. 

“If you knew as much of seafaring as I know, 
and if you knew that girl as I know her, you 
would ask no more questions,” said the captain. 

“Well, captain, I should like to know upon 
what grounds you refuse to take pay for Miss 
Allgaits’ passage, especially as it is offered by 
one who is so far as you know well able to 
pay it?” said Turpin. 


36 One Heart That Never Ached. 

‘Tf offered by a millionaire it would be refused 
just the same/' said the captain. 

‘‘Well, captain, upon my word I do not under- 
stand this. Would you mind telling what this 
means?" said Turpin. 

“Wait till I give the boys orders so we may 
be profiting by this early morning breeze. We 
hope to pull into Charlotte Harbor this after- 
noon by three-thirty," said the captain. 

In a few minutes the canvass was spread and 
the “Louise" was skimming over the smooth 
water as she skirted the marshy coast. The 
captain returned and beckoned Turpin to the 
side of the deck where a gross of hamper baskets 
lay ready for use as temporary seats. When 
seated the captain began in a low tone: 

“I suppose the old skipper told you about the 
“Jayhawker" going down to Davy Jones' land- 
ing." 

“No,‘' said Turpin. 

“Well, ever since the burial at sea of the sup- 
posed mother of Joan, a most beautiful Banshee 
has hovered around the “Jayhawker at times, 
especially just before a squall. So the morning 
before the old craft sank, the Banshee was hov- 
ering around in broad daylight. She visited every 
room and finally the captain's private berth and 
sat down on his strong box. When she dis- 
appeared the captain hauled his treasure ashore 
and sent it to the safety vaults at Chicago. In 
less than an hour the old derelict was settling 
down on Davy Jones' landing. This is why 


One Heart That Never Ached. 37 

the old skipper hunted up the Allgaits intending 
to look after their wants out of the contents 
of the strong box. Now since that time the 
‘"Louise” has had several visits of the Banshee, 
the last one this morning at four o’clock. She 
was last seen in the berth now occupied by 
Joan. If you are at all reasonable this ought 
to satisfy you about my refusal to take pay for 
her passage. Now, I could tell you a great deal 
more about this queer girl, but we seafarers have 
but little talk with landmen about such things. 
But as you seem to be associated with her for 
no bad purpose, I may tell you that all seamen 
on these waters, on the best of evidences, be- 
lieve her to be a young Banshee. Or as the 
boys say, a Bansheeny. 

"Tt is known among the tars,” continued the 
skipper, “that she fell from a cloud of flame dur- 
ing the great Chicago fire. She tells how her 
mother flew up to the sky with a great flock of 
big white swans, and how her grandfather and 
grandmother sailed up to heaven in a chariot 
of fire, with a band of angels singing and playing 
on harps of gold.” 

Turpin’s knowledge of men was too thorough 
to call in question the stories of this old seaman, 
so he contented himself by expressing much sur- 
prise and some pleasure in what he had heard. 
When the captain had gone about his nautical 
duties, Weber walked over and took the seat 
he had vacated. And Turpin said: 

“Well, Weber, our trip is over sooner than I 


38 One Heart That Never Ached. 


expected, but I shall raise the wages above the 
rate of twenty-five dollars per month. We have 
been too lucky for you not to get any benefit, 
so I shall pay you a little premium. What do 
you make out of all these stories we are hearing 
any way?’’ 

‘'Well,’’ said Weber, “I hardly know just what 
to think of your story. As for those told by the 
natives and these seamen, the part I do not be- 
lieve I can at least account for satisfactorily. 
But yours is diflferent. It either means a great 
deal to Joan’s advantage or to her sad disap- 
pointment and ruin. If I had any grounds for 
suspecting you of dishonesty I should be tempted 
to assume the right to protect the poor, helpless 
girl." 

“Nothing would please me better than to have 
you do that very thing. I was just thinking of 
ofifering to continue your wages until we get to 
Chicago and then raise them fifty per cent. What 
do you say to that?” said Turpin. 

“I had decided to go with you to Chicago, 
wages or no wages, until I see what that grand 
estate story is based upon. To be plain with 
you, that whole thing looks fishy to me,” said 
Weber. 

“I do not need your services any more since 
I have found the girl and have her consent to 
take her out of this dismal hole of horrors. 
But I admire your unselfish interest in her, and 
I will engage you for a term of three months 
at your present wages. The conditions to be, 


One Heart That Never Ached. 39 

you take up your quarters at my expense, just 
as near the quarters occupied by Miss Allgaits 
as shall seem prudent, and report to me anything 
that seems to threaten her welfare, or in any way 
to endanger her person,’’ said Turpin. 

‘‘Are you a mind reader?” said Weber. 

“Not that anybody knows of,” said Turpin. 

“Well, you have asked me to do the very thing 
I had determined to do,” said Weber. 

“So then your luggage will be carried over to 
the depot with ours and we leave on the four- 
twenty train. Now we understand each other, 
it will not be necessary to talk the matter over 
in the presence of outsiders, or to discuss it 
with inquisitive parties. And I suggest there be 
nothing said about it to Miss Allgaits,” said 
Turpin. 

“As you please about that,” said Weber. 

“I will arrange that you need make no in- 
quiries about lodging and you need not seem 
concerned about Miss Allgaits,” said Turpin. 

After this conversation Weber and Turpin 
appeared as only casual traveling acquaintances. 
To this time they had enjoyed a fair traveling 
breeze, but now the water assumed the appear- 
ance of a great sheet of glass, the canvass hung 
limp without a flutter. Look where you might 
there was not a wave, or even a ripple to be 
seen. The little sailing crafts were all standing 
stock still and looked like so many tack heads 
sticking up out of the smooth water. One little 
cloud in the West, resembling a spiral of smoke 


40 One Heart That Never Ached. 


from a settler's cabin, was the only weather sign 
in sight. The captain, anxious for some token 
of a friendly sign, was consulting the barometer. 
All hands were out gazing helplessly at the glassy 
waters. Someone said : 

‘Tf the sweet singer from the Everglades 
would favor us with a song, in a half hour we 
would move out of here under a good wind." 

Turpin sought Miss Allgaits in her little room 
and said: ‘‘Miss Allgaits, we are caught in a 
calm and the men want you to sing us a song 
as a matter of diversion?" 

“Are you sure there isn't more superstition 
in it than want of diversion?" said Joan. 

“I must confess there is something in that idea, 
but all of us would appreciate a song," said 
Turpin. 

“Well, then make them promise not to ask 
for another song till we land and I will sing," 
said Joan. 

When assured the promise had been given, 
she walked out, passed the group of men to 
the prow of the ship and, sitting with her face 
seaward, she threw back her veil and sang a 
most soul stirring song. At times the volume 
of voice was so capacious it required no stretch 
of a sailor's imagination to hear more than one 
voice. As she drew on her veil and turned to 
go to her room, she pointed to the cloud in the 
West. We looked and it was turning and twist- 
ing like a little aerial cyclone. In fifteen minutes 
we were under full sail with a fine breeze that 


One Heart That Never Ached. 41 


hurried us into Charlotte Harbor. And you may 
be sure the seamen were no less superstitious 
than before the song. As we turned into the 
harbor the captain said: 

'‘Thirty minutes to discharge a few bundles and 
we will swing you around to Punta Gorda in a 
jiffy.’’ We scarcely touched timbers till the 
bundles were dumped, a few small parcels taken 
on and we were swinging around into Punta 
Gorda. As we landed a great crowd of idlers 
pushed, crowded, asked questions and made re- 
marks. Our baggage was loaded into a truck 
for the depot. We took a carriage and rushed 
over where the out-going train stood on the 
track, puffing and steaming. We secured tickets 
to Chicago, checked the baggage and were wait- 
ing for we know not what. While thus waiting 
we were recognized by our former landlord and 
employer. He said: 

"Why, hello, how-do-you-do ; don’t you fellows 
want another job riving pickets? I have a special 
order now. I can pay a dollar extra on the 
thousand. Why bless me, here is the sweet 
singer from the Everglades. Now, dear little 
Miss, your keep shall not cost you a cent if you 
will only consent to sing for us a bit of even- 
ings.” 

The conductor called out: "All aboard”; the 
engineer pulled his lever; as the motion began 
to be felt the familiar sound was heard of escap- 
ing steam and rattling wheels. If you know 
how a boy feels starting to a circus you have 


42 One Heart That Never Ached. 

a fair idea of how Turpin felt as this train 
moved out for the place where things were more 
congenial to his nature. He seemed gleeful and 
exuberant; he was talkative like one partially 
intoxicated. In fact he was intoxicated, not on 
spirits but success. 


CHAPTER V. 


The Angel Reaches Chicago. 

They were scarcely well settled down for travel 
when they dashed into Valdosta, Ga. Here they 
switched on to the A. C. & L. for Montgomery, 
Ala. From here Turpin sent a message to 
Chicago; and they took the through fast train 
and like an arrow-shot, went straight into 
Chicago. The nearer they came to the ‘'center 
of the world’’ the more crowded the train was. 
When they stopped at the central depot people 
fairly swarmed out and scattered in every direc- 
tion. As Weber left the train a well-dressed 
gentleman approached him and said : 

‘T believe this is Mr. Dick Weber. My name 
is Dan Holcum. Give your checks to this trans- 
fer man ; he has the number of your lodging. 
You take a carriage with me. I am to accom- 
pany you as a kind of a pilot. There is one 
good thing about your lodging, Mr. Weber, you 
do not have to occupy it if you do not like it, 
but I did the best for you I could with the 
short notice I had.” 

By this time they were in the carriage, speed- 
ing around the corner of a great block of build- 
ings. The carriage stopped ; the occupants 
alighted and, entering the magnificent building. 


44 One Heart That Never Ached. 

stepped into the elevator and ascended to the 
fourth floor. Here Weber was shown into a 
splendid suite of rooms most elaborately fur- 
nished. 

‘‘Now, Mr. Weber, you have here a fine view 
of the most popular streets of Chicago; your 
bills will be settled and your entertainment will 
be looked after. If you will excuse me I have 
some matters to attend to for the next hour, 
after which I will return and we will look up 
some refreshments.’’ 

As Holcum descended the return elevator 
brought up Weber’s baggage and he proceeded 
at once to dress in his extra best. His toilet 
completed, he took a satisfactory look at him- 
self, readjusted his coat-collar, and, as he turned 
from the mirror, there was a tap at the door, 
and he said, “Come in.” Holcum entered and 
was much pleased and a little surprised at the 
improved appearance of Weber. 

“Why,” said he, “you have brushed up until 
you look as if you were fresh from one of our 
most fashionable tailors.” 

“That speaks well for your judgment, for less 
than thirty days ago these togs were shipped to 
me from the very best tailor in your city,” said 
Weber. 

“Well, suppose we see if I can guess as well 
where good meals are served,” said Holcum. 

“I hope you may be equally skilled in that, for 
I am as hungry as an over-chased beagle,” said 
Weber. Together they went down and in three 


One Heart That Never Ached. 45 

doors of the entrance they turned into a cafe 
and were served to their entire satisfaction. 

'‘Ever drink anything/’ said Holcum. 

"No,” said Weber. 

"Good,” said Holcum. "Then shall we go to 
your quarters a bit? I have some plans to sug- 
gest to you privately,” said Holcum. 

"If you please, sir, before considering any 
plans, I should like to see a gentleman who came 
in on the train with me,” said Weber. 

"Oh, I imagine you mean Joe Turpin,” said 
Holcum. 

"The same,” said Weber. 

"Well, he scarcely got his protege to her lodg- 
ing till he was assigned to a most intricate case 
growing out of a terrible tragedy down on River 
Street. You may not see him the next forty- 
eight hours, and if you should you would scarcely 
recognize him,” said Holcum. 

"Then you know where Miss Allgaits’ lodging 
is,” said Weber. 

"Most certain I do, and that is one of the 
matters we shall discuss when we get to your 
quarters,” said Holcum. 

While these new acquaintances repair to their 
quarters to discuss important matters, we will 
return and take account of Joe Turpin at the 
depot. 

When he stepped from the train with Joan 
clinging to his arm, he was hailed by one who 
said : 

"Hello, Joe, I feared I had missed you. Here 


46 One Heart That Never Ached. 


are some imperative orders, an av^ful tragedy 
on River Street last night; no one to follow the 
clew till you should come in.” 

‘T must see this lady to her lodging,” said 
Turpin. 

‘‘Can’t I take that charge off your hands. This 
is urgent,” said the officer. 

“Give me your orders and I will execute them 
when I have discharged this duty,” said Turpin. 

Receiving the orders in an envelope he hailed a 
carriage and conveyed Miss Allgaits to her lodg- 
ing. Her’s was in the same building and just 
across the hall from Weber’s. After seeing her 
in her rooms he went to the restaurant and sent 
up refreshments to her. He then hastened to 
the Pinkerton headquarters ; looked over his 
orders and instruction ; put on an engineer’s garb, 
smutted with coal, took up a railroad lantern, 
lighted it and went slouching off down to River 
street. 

On River street old landmarks still existed, 
one of these, a log cabin, had been the home 
of the Weatherall family for twenty years. They 
were plain, humble people, and “Uncle Ned” was 
the only citizen in all these parts that ever knew 
the Coastmyres or anything about the property 
they owned. He constantly affirmed that the land 
his cabin stood on belonged to the Coastmyres 
and for eleven blocks around. When the suit was 
filed in favor of the Coastmyre heirs, if any could 
be found, he was subpoensed as the chief witness. 

In this cabin the River Street tragedy took 


One Heart That Never Ached. 47 

place. And to this cabin Turpin was directed 
to go to start his clew. He stalked up to the 
cabin door and called for Hank Stormforth. A 
most charming young lady came to the door and 
with bated breath said: 

'Tlank isn’t here, but may be at any minute, 
won’t you come in?” Turpin set his lantern 
down, took off his smutty cap and, stepping in, 
said : 

'‘My name is Knoal.” The lady bowed and 
said : 

"My name is Loophold.” 

"I wanted to get Hank to take my place down 
at the yard for a few days so I could visit my 
mother; haven’t seen her for five years,” said 
Knoal. 

"Hank could not leave now till after the 
funeral,” said Miss Loophold. 

"Who is dead?” said Knoal. 

"Why, Mr. Weatherall, our old neighbor — 
"Uncle Ned,” as everyone called him. He was 
found dead in his room here this morning. A 
murder, most foul, right here at our door,” said 
Miss Loophold. 

"Why, bless me, I knew Uncle Ned. Where 
is the remains? May I see him?” said Knoal. 

"Certainly; just step in the little room, but 
excuse me; the awful sight makes me shudder,” 
said Miss Loophold. 

Knoal went into the little room alone, which 
for his purpose suited him precisely. By the 
light of the dim single taper, note book in hand, 


48 One Heart That Never Ached. 

he proceeded leisurely and carefully to examine 
the grewsome remains of Uncle Ned. He re- 
moved the sheet, and one garment at a time 
until every part of the body had been minutely 
examined. He noted every mark of violence and 
began the task of replacing the garments. In 
the inside pocket of the under vest he discovered 
the corner of an old yellow envelope. This he 
carefully drew out, opened it and found a lease 
contract for a certain parcel of land, situated in 
a block numbered nine, being a part of eleven 
blocks owned and possessed by Coastmyre and 
wife in the River Street addition to the city of 
Chicago. This was signed and acknowledged 
before a notary by Coastmyre and wife, dated 
October 9th, 1871. He slipped this in his pocket ; 
replaced the sheet and without any readable ex- 
pression on his face returned to the room. 

Miss Loophold looked intently at him and 
seemed nervous about his long stay in the death 
chamber. He broke the silence by saying: 

‘'Has Hank not come yet; where is his sleep- 
ing room? perhaps he is in there.’’ Without 
hesitation she pointed to a little room joining 
the one he had just left and said: 

“There is where he sleeps when he is here, but 
he is not in there now.” Knoal pushed open 
the door, slipped in, shut the door, lighted a 
lamp and made a close search of the room and 
everything in it. He emptied a barrel of waste 
paper, rags, old socks, shoes, old hats, caps and 
such cast off rubbish. In the bottom of this 


One Heart That Never Ached. 49 

barrel rolled up in a piece of an old fish net he 
found a pair of pinchers and a brand new spring 
lancelet about six inches long. These he put in 
his pocket, replaced the stuff, returned to the 
room and made a second visit to the dimly lighted 
death chamber. 

This time he went to the foot of the corpse 
and took off his stockings, finding the toe nails 
almost pulled from their hinges; this is where 
the pinchers were used, said Knoal to himself. 
The bottoms of the feet were burned to crisp. 
He replaced the footgear, opened the bosom, and 
between the third and fourth ribs he found what 
might, without passing your hand over it, be 
taken for a skin mole. But passing his fingers 
over it ascertained that a lump of sealing wax 
concealed the entrance of the spring lancelet. 
He re-examined the mouth and found it had 
been bound with such force that the teeth had 
nearly cut through the thin lips. The nose was 
wrung almost from the socket, and there were 
many other prints of rough hands about the 
throat. 

This time Knoal left the room shuddering with 
indignant vengeance. By this time Aunt Susie, 
as everyone called the widow of deceased, had 
awakened and was moaning and bewailing most 
piteously. A few watchers had come in to spend 
the night. Miss Loophold said: 

‘Tt is awfully dark, but I must run over home 
and get a little rest, but I do so much sym- 
pathize with these poor people.’’ 


50 One Heart That Never Ached. 

‘Tf you will permit me I will see you home; 
I have a lantern,” said Knoal. 

“Thank you ; it is kind of you, I dislike to 
trouble you,” said Miss Loophold. 

“It is a pleasure, ma’am, not a trouble,” said 
Knoal, as he turned up the lantern. As they 
walked Knoal said, 

“Are those people very poor?” 

“Yes, indeed ; and we have so many neighbors 
who are wretchedly poor, I have persuaded 
father to move to a more popular neighborhood, 
and he means to as soon as this pretended suit 
involving the title to his property dies down. 
He was offered fifty thousand dollars once for 
this house; and the Drainage Canal Commission 
undertook to force a right-of-way through with- 
out pay. And because father stopped them they 
are trying to scare him by bringing a suit in the 
name of the Coastmyre heirs, and everyone knows 
there are no such people,” said Miss Loophold. 

“I greatly admire your kindness to these poor, 
suffering people,” said Knoal. Here they turned 
into the most pretentious house in the neighbor- 
hood. Knoal bade her good-night at the gate, 
and a voice called out from the house : 

“Hank, is that you?” 

“No, father, this is Mr. Knoal; Hank is not 
here,” said Miss Loophold. Knoal hurried off 
as he did not care to be interviewed by Mr. 
Loophold. He went directly to Pinkerton head- 
quarters, took off his make-believe togs, bathed 
his hands and face and once more Joe Turpin 


One Heart That Never Ached. 51 

was himself. He recorded his findings in a 
closely kept book and started for the lodgings of 
Weber and Miss Allgaits. 


CHAPTER VI. 


The Great Coastmyre Case. 

Dick Weber and Dan Hokum entered the 
room and Hokum said: 

‘‘Now step across the hall here and I will 
show you your office.’’ They walked into a large 
room with desks, chairs, large reference volumes, 
typewriters and every equipment for a modern 
newspaper office, including telegraph instruments. 
When they were seated. Hokum said: 

“On your testimony we hang the identification 
of Miss Joan Allgaits’ heirship to the great 
Coastmyre estate. And important witnesses 
must have prominence, so we have had you 
appointed chief city editor of the Daily Times 
Clarion, the greatest paper in America. To- 
morrow morning your appointment will be an- 
nounced and a column of introductory matter 
will appear on the first page. And following 
right after this on the next column, same page, 
will appear your editorial write-up of the noted 
Coastmyre case.” 

“Hold on. Hokum; are you crazy? I never 
wrote a half column for the press in my life,” 
said Weber. 

Hokum laughed and said : “Never mind what 
you haven’t done; none of us ever did anything 
until we did it.” 


One Heart That Never Ached. 53 


“But this is preposterous/' said Weber. 

“Don't be too sure of that; wait till you get 
sight of your facilities. Here is your introduc- 
tory, here is the announcement of your appoint- 
ment and here is your editorial write-up of the 
Noted Coastmyre Estate Case; all carefully pre- 
pared by the best writer on earth. Your tele- 
grams are here on file, properly dated to fit in. 
All other information given in the editorial is 
arranged and filed so as to be forthcoming if 
questioned," said Holcum. 

“This looks ridiculous and savors of trickery, 
I cannot go into such a flimsy scheme," said 
Weber. 

“I understand you are in the employ of Joe 
Turpin, and he is the sharpest man that ever 
saw light in Chicago. This is all his plan; no 
trickery about it ; this is diplomacy of the highest 
type and most honorable. The truth is, we have 
a most righteous case, but the time elapsed, cir- 
cumstances, social influences and court intrigue 
are all against us, and we are up against it good 
and hard," said Holcum. 

“I shall not consent to involve myself in any- 
thing like this until I see Turpin and have matters 
explained by him," said Weber. 

“But, my dear sir, we have no time to play 
upon; Turpin is out on a case, and this is in 
type now, and goes to press to-night at twelve. 
Twenty thousand extra copies are arranged for. 
We must have your signature to this editorial ; 
the trial is on us and we must agitate the public 


54 One Heart That Never Ached. 


mind to a frenzy/’ said Holcum. A rap at the 
door across the hall stopped the speaker. He 
opened the office door and fairly yelled : ‘'Why, 
hello, Joe, come right in here!” Turpin shook 
hands with them and said to Weber: 

“Old boy, I am sorry I was called away like 
that, but the case was more serious than one 
could imagine. I trust you will pardon the 
apparent neglect.” 

“No offence on my behalf, but where is Miss 
Allgaits?” said Weber. 

“Just across the hall there, and I warrant as 
happy as any queen,” said Turpin. He stepped 
across the hall and tapped on the door. 

“Who is there?” 

“This is Turpin, Weber and Mr. Holcum, a 
friend of mine; can we come in a bit?” said 
Turpin. 

“Wait a minute,” said Joan. In a short time 
the door opened and she said, “Walk in, gen- 
tlemen.” Weber and Turpin shook hands with 
her and Turpin introduced her to Holcum. 
Turpin said: 

“Now, Miss Allgaits, we are all your friends 
and working in your interest, and I for one 
feel rather weather-worn. Can’t you favor us 
with one of your sweetest songs?” 

“Mr. Turpin, if you gentemlen will sit in the 
hall and raise that front hall window, so the 
noise can get out on the open air I will sing,” 
said Joan. They heartily agreed and at once 
moved their seats into the hall and threw open 


One Heart That Never Ached. 55 


the outside hall window. She removed her veil 
and little Quaker blue bonnet, turned out the 
lights and the music came pouring out of the 
dark room in sweet clarion tones and floated 
out on the open air. 

Holcum stood like one petrified. As the song 
progressed they all caught the inspiration and 
were lifted above all realities. As the strains 
rose and fell in perfect harmonies they soared in 
idealistic fancy in realms inhabited by spirits 
only. Just as the last notes were passing through 
the hall the elevator stopped and a large, bustling 
fellow stepped out among them and said, 

‘‘Who is dat vooman? In my life I neffer 
such a voice heardt. I vas ofer dare at mine 
blace trying to get some little moosic in dem 
schreechy voices so beopbles would leesten, und 
dat moosic coomes into mine ear und I vas blum 
grazy alreaty. Shentlemen, eef dat latee sing 
on mine stage I geef her a tousand tollar ter 
first night, und I geef mine honor guarantee fife 
tousand pefore a veek. Such moosic pourt out 
on dere street mit out a manacher vas like scat- 
tering heafens chewels on dere grounds for 
beobples mit dere dirty feetses to valk on. 
Shentlemens, eef at mine blace dat vooman vill 
sing, dere vas blenty money vasting in dere ceety 
ve may take it mit a shuffl up py tere scoopful. 
Vat is dat vooman’s name; or is she so grandt 
she no mayhalfe any. My name is Snider 
Vilanderschleicher.’’ At the end of this speech 
Joan said: 


56 One Heart That Never Ached. 

“Mr. Turpin, you can tell the gentlemen I do 
not sing for money.” Before Turpin could speak 
the stage manager broke out again and said : 

“Shentlemen, dat vas mine dream ven I got 
mine blace to expenses pay. I hadt a dream 
dat I foundt a voice mit moosic like heafen, und 
dat vooman no vas like beobples, but had vings, 
und she sing at mine blace und I make a tousand 
bushels of money, und I gife her a heap of 
blenty money; I vill pack come next day and 
see dat latee.” With this last remark he stepped 
onto the elevator and slipped out of sight. Joe 
Turpin said, 

“I believe if he heard Miss Allgaits sing in 
open air down on the Everglades he sure would 
be crazy.” 

“Miss Allgaits, you must go over to his place 
some evening and sing for him.” 

“I do not wish to be flattered by such men,” 
said Joan. The men now returned to the office 
of the Daily Times Clarion and soon agreed to 
the well-made plans and retired for the night. 

Just at midnight Hank walked into the Weath- 
erall cabin, passed through the room where the 
watchers sat and into his own sleeping room. 
He struck a light and at once discovered that 
his room had been ransacked. His first atten- 
tion was given to the barrel of rubbish, he poured 
out the stuff and saw the old fish net had been 
unrolled, and he knew at once he was either 
betrayed, or some sharp sleuth was hot on his 
trail. He changed his garb and his appearance 


One Heart That Never Ached. 57 

as best he could, cautiously lifted the latch of 
the back door and stepped out in the dark. 

Morning came and with it the coroner, two 
physicians and an attorney. The first witness 
was the widow, but she was so utterly broken 
up a coherent statement was impossible. Then 
the physicians testified that in a fit of apoplexy 
deceased had sustained a fall on some uneven 
surface as bruises about his mouth and face 
plainly showed. And the dark streaks on his 
neck were caused by surplus rush of blood which 
brought on the fit. A few other witnesses were 
examined and Hank Stormforth was called. He 
failed to answer, and someone said he had not 
gotten up. His room was opened ; he was not 
there, nor had he slept in the bed. On inquiry 
it was learned that he went into his room after 
midnight. The coroner was arranging his state- 
ment in accordance with the doctors’ testimony. 

Knoal whispered to the attorney; the attorney 
whispered to the coroner ; the inquest closed and 
the crowd dispersed, criticizing, murmuring and 
openly condemning the court. Then Knoal, the 
coroner and the attorney and one of the physi- 
cians returned to the death chamber and ex- 
amined the artificial skin mole and the lacerated 
feet and contusions about the face. The coroner 
withheld the verdict. 

The Daily Times Clarion came out with flam- 
ing headlines, announcing the appointment of 
Richard Donley Weber as city editor, and an 
introductory filled with loud statements of aims 


58 One Heart That Never Ached. 

and purposes. Then followed the masterful 
editorial write-up of the great Coastmyre Estate 
Case, involving the title of real estate valued 
at three million. Another flourish of attractive 
headlines over the announcement of the presence 
in the city of Miss Joan Allgaits, the sole heir 
of the Coastmyre property, and a reference to 
the sad death of ‘‘Uncle Ned’’ Weatherall, and 
an intimation that a false conclusion had been 
arrived at, in the excitement. Following this 
came the doctors’ statement about apoplexy, and 
a fall making the bruises which were first taken 
as evidences of foul play. 

The whole city was flooded with these papers 
by about a hundred and fifty extra newsboys on 
double pay. By the middle of the afternoon the 
town talk, in every part, up town, down town, 
and in all the suburbs and additions to the city, 
was the Coastmyre estate case. Old citizens 
remembered many things that had long since been 
forgotten. 

Weber, in his office, up to his neck in material 
for the next issue of the Daily Times Clarion, 
was interrupted every few minutes by callers of 
all classes. Many inquiries came in over the 
wire, through the mail and by messengers. To 
most of these he pleaded, too busy. A large 
waste basketful of stuff came in, claiming to be 
vital information concerning the Coastmyre case. 
The whole populace had reached high-tide excite- 
ment about the Coastmyre estate case, the pres- 
ence of the heiress in the city, her identity and 
her whereabouts. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 59 


Turpin moved about from circle to circle in- 
tently listening to the pros and cons of all 
classes. He soon decided that public sentiment 
was more than favorable to the new-found 
heiress. He now went to the chief attorney and 
secured material for the next issue of the Daily 
Times Clarion concerning the Coastmyre estate 
case. Also an official announcement that the 
case was set for the first Monday in January, 
1888. He carried all this matter, well prepared 
for the press, to Weber, had a long chat with 
him and together they visited Joan. 

She received them cheerfully, still clinging to 
her Quaker blue bonnet and her thick brown 
veil. After explaining the nature of the case 
in court and the general proceedings necessary 
before coming in possession of the property, 
Turpin asked Miss Allgaits to make a visit down 
on River Street, and she consented. He then 
said : 

‘T will go and get on my working clothes and 
come for you.’’ To this she consented. Weber 
returned to his office and Turpin soon returned 
scarcely recognizable by his closest acquaintances. 
He and Joan went down on the elevator together. 
Then he said : 

‘‘Now, Miss Allgaits, you walk twenty paces 
behind me until I throw out my right hand. 
You enter the house indicated and remain there 
until I come in. When I come in you must 
not recognize me, but for important purposes, 
that you will understand afterwards, be to me 


60 One Heart That Never Ached. 

a rank stranger.” To this also she consented 
and they moved off down River Street. When 
Turpin was even with the front gate of the 
Weatherall cabin he awkwardly threw out his 
right hand and carelessly passed on. Joan 
turned in, tapped at the door and a beautiful 
young lady, gorgeously dressed, met her at the 
door and said: ‘‘Come in.” Joan entered in and 
a sweet faced old woman said: 

“Be seated, dear little girl, and warm your- 
self; you are not suitably clad for this cold 
evening.” Joan thanked her and sat down. And 
the young lady took out her purse and said : 

“You have such a dear, sweet voice, here, 
honey, is the last of my charity for this week,” 
extending a five dollar bill, “take this and get 
you some good warm clothes.” Joan spoke with 
more tenderness than ever and said: 

“I know you are good and I am so glad there 
are so many good people, but please, ma’am, I 
cannot take your money.” 

“Why, dear child, take it and use it, this is 
Miss Loophold whose father is very rich ; they 
live over there in that great house, and she is 
so good to me she comes to see me often and 
cheers my poor old heart,” said Aunt Susie. 

Miss Loophold seemed puzzled. “Where do 
you live, child?” Joan said, “I have lodging up 
town.” 

“What do you work at ? may I ask,” said Miss 
Loophold. 

Joan hesitated and Miss Loophold spoke 


One Heart That Never Ached. 61 

quickly and said, ‘T beg your pardon, honey; 
if you do not wish to tell it is all right. We 
all have to do something, and so many have 
to do things that are so unpleasant they do not 
wish others to know. Whatever you are doing 
I know you are a dear good child, so take this 
little gift and my best wishes, and perhaps I 
may be able to help you to something better 
than you now have. I have great influence 
among the wealthy class.” 

‘'Take it, little darling,” said Aunt Susie. 

“Indeed, ma’am, I cannot take her money, but 
I am so glad she loves me. I know I love her, 
and you, and everybody,” said Joan. This ex- 
pression and the innocent, happy ring of the 
voice touched the tenderest sympathies of Miss 
Loophold’s nature and she said: 

“You have such a dear, sweet voice, have you 
any gift in music?” 

“Some people think I have,” said Joan. 

“Then may I teach you ? I have ever so many 
instruments; I will take great pleasure in teach- 
ing you whatever bits of time you can spare 
from your work,” said Miss Loophold. 

“I do not play on instruments,” said Joan. 

“Then I may teach you vocal music. I am 
very proficient in that, also, and I sing well 
myself. Mr. Snider Vilanderschleicher has a 
standing offer with me to sing at his place. He 
says if I should train up and practice regular 
I would be a grand success.” 

“I am sure you do sing nice, you are so beau- 
tiful and so elegantly dressed,” said Joan. 


62 One Heart That Never Ached. 


“How much time can you spare to devote to 
the cultivation of your voice said Miss Loop- 
hold. 

“I fear I cannot engage with you at this time,” 
said Joan. 

“Poor, dear child, how long will our govern- 
ment ignore the greatest of all problems, child 
labor, and over-worked humanity, from long 
hours of unremunerative toil,” said Miss Loop- 
hold. Just then Turpin tapped on the door and 
Miss Loophold went to the door and said: 

“What do you wish?” 

“Does Mr. Stormforth lodge here?” said 
Turpin. 

“Well he did, but he is away at present,” said 
Miss Loophold. 

“What do you want of Hank?” said Aunt 
Susie. 

“Oh it is of no importance; I was just pass- 
ing and thought to look in a bit and ask him 
about a job he was speaking of,” said Turpin. 

“Oh, yes,” said Miss Loophold. “Father was 
arranging to have quite a lot of drainage work 
done so as to give the poor, unemployed men 
a showing to live; but he has been compelled 
to defer that now on account of false claims, 
and a consequent suit involving the title to the 
property. Poor, dear father, I never saw him 
so worried in all my life.” 

Turpin managed to throw out his right hand 
as before and bade them good evening. He 
walked slowly a block or two, and looked back 


One Heart That Never Ached. 63 

for the little Quaker blue bonnet. When he 
saw it was following he swung around a corner 
and let Joan pass, and followed her back to her 
quarters. When they were inside he said: 

''Well, Miss Allgaits, what did you think of 
your property.’’ 

"I did not know I had seen it yet,” said Joan. 

"Yes, all those houses from the little blue 
house down to the river are yours,” said Turpin. 

"Why, Mr. Turpin, you surely do not mean 
that! Why, if taken away from Chicago that 
would make a good sized town,” said Joan. 

"I certainly mean that, and you just as cer- 
tainly own a good-sized part of Chicago,” said 
Turpin. 

"Then how came all those people living there 
and believing they owned the property?” said 
Joan. 

"Very few of them believe they own it, and 
those who do have carelessly suffered themselves 
to be duped,” said Turpin. 

"Mr. Turpin, I do not intend to take anyone’s 
house from him, not even if I needed it for 
myself,” said Joan. 

"Miss Allgaits, we are not trying to take any- 
one’s home from them for you; we are only 
trying to keep them from taking your property 
from you,” said Turpin. 

Weber came in and talked a bit and invited 
them into the office. He showed them several 
editorials and a few notes concerning the Coast- 
myre estate case, to come out in the Daily Times 


64 One Heart That Never Ached. 


Clarion. Miss Allgaits seemed less concerned 
than anyone else on these matters. They sep- 
arated again for the night, and for several days 
the Daily Times Clarion came out filled with 
matter more and more important and interesting 
concerning the Coastmyre estate case. 


CHAPTER VII. 


Preparations for the Trial. 

A long list of witnesses, their names, ages, 
places of residence, and professions or trades 
followed. Among these most prominent appeared 
Richard Donley Weber, city editor of the Daily 
Times Clarion, Captain Granby of the ‘'Jay- 
hawker,’' Conway Allgaits, father of the heiress 
of the great estate. Later a certified copy of the 
lease contracted by the Coastmyres and Weath- 
erall appeared, with a long comment by the 
editor. 

As the day of trial approached, such a com- 
plete chain of testimony was evident that Loop- 
hold’s attorneys advised a compromise. They 
showed him wherein his title was faulty, and if 
he played the game out with all these odds against 
him it would ruin him financially. Also if they 
pushed him to the wall on some of his affidavits 
it would give him a close shave for imprisonment. 

Loophold, who was already quaking in his 
shoes, had lost his appetite and was spending 
sleepless nights, consented to give the girl a 
small annuity and the father a term lease on a 
little cottage down on the river, provided it 
could be done as a matter of charity by his 


66 One Heart That Never Ached. 

daughter and not reflect on his honor, or in any 
way raise a question as to the genuineness of 
his title. 

Mr. Rainbridge, his chief attorney, said: ‘T 
am willing to push the case on to a finish if 
you insist, but at present you haven’t a shadow 
of a chance. For this reason I advise a com- 
promise, but I know the mettle of this fellow, 
Stackhouse. There is no use offering him a 
pittance like you suggest; it would insult him. 
With reasonable latitude, that I may accept any 
offer he might make, if I considered it liberal, 
I might approach him on the subject of com- 
promise.” 

‘‘Well,” said Loophold, “you might feel of him 
and let me know what terms he offers.” 

With this understanding Rainbridge and Tree- 
wick, his partner, together went over to the office 
of Stackhouse and Coldrum for a conference 
about the great Coastmyre estate case. When 
they entered the office Stackhouse was buried in 
a great bundle of papers, sorting and arranging 
them. Coldrum was dictating to a typewriter 
running at lightning speed. Neither of the gen- 
tlemen noticed the parties until they were an- 
nounced a second time. Then Mr. Stackhouse 
laid down his papers and motioned them to seats. 

“What can we do for you, gentlemen?” he 
asked. Mr. Rainbridge drew his chair up close 
and said: 

“We wish to know upon what terms we can 


One Heart That Never Ached. 67 

settle this Coastmyre claim. It is a great source 
of annoyance to our client.” 

‘T am not prepared to make or entertain any 
proposition whatever. We desire a just and 
equitable decision of the court and shall be satis- 
fied with nothing else,” said Stackhouse. 

'T beg your pardon, Judge, but you know Mr. 
Loophold’s home is perfectly secure from all 
claims by statute of limitations, and other por- 
tions of the property can never be identified as 
belonging to the Coastmyre claimants,” said 
Rainbridge. 

‘'Colonel Rainbridge, we are exceedingly busy 
this evening, and if at complete leisure we could 
not discuss the merits of this case with you ; 
but rather than let you think us uncivil I can 
say this to you : If we do not establish a perfect 
title, and get immediate possession of every foot 
of the whole eleven blocks, together with all 
improvements, and judgment for back rents for 
two hundred thousand dollars, I will quit the 
profession,” said Stackhouse. 

This was said so mildly and yet emphatically 
that Rainbridge took it as a dismissal, and they 
left at once. Rainbridge remarked: 

“Now, Mr. Treewick, you see what we are up 
against.” 

“Yes, but do you not think that a bluflf,” said 
Treewick. 

“No sir, I know Stackhouse; he is mettle to 
the core. No man knows his innings better than 
Stackhouse,” said Rainbridge. When they got 


68 One Heart That Never Ached. 

to their office Loophold was there, anxious to 
know the result of the conference. 

‘‘Well, what terms can you get with Stack- 
house 

“None; it is a fight to the finish, a forlorn 
hope, pure and simple,’’ said Rainbridge. 

“But can you not continue the case, get time 
and turn up something?” Loophold asked. 

“No, that was my suggestion at first, but you 
refused, saying delay would be fatal, besides 
you gave your sacred honor that the lease con- 
tract claimed to be in the hands of Weatherall 
should never appear in their evidence,” said 
Rainbridge. Loophold turned pale and enquired : 

“Do you know how or where they got that 
paper ?” 

Rainbridge replied: “It makes no difference 
how they secured the paper, their having it is 
what makes against us.” 

“I do not wish this matter discussed or in- 
quired into any further,” said Loophold, with 
considerable emphasis, and without further 
counsel left the office for home, saying he was 
unwell. When he reached home he had brooded 
himself into an awful temper. Miss Cattie met 
him at the door before discovering his distress; 
began to tell him about some new charity enter- 
prise she had set up that would require five 
hundred dollars at the outset. And her allow- 
ance for benevolences would have to be largely 
increased to enable her to maintain the enter- 
prise. He looked into her innocent, hopeful 
face and completely broke down. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 69 


''My daughter, we are pennyless.’’ He then 
choked up and could say no more. She looked 
into his face and said, 

"Oh, dear father, what has happened?” 

"Dear child, I have kept this out of your 
pure, innocent life till the last moment.” She 
burst into tears and cried: 

"Oh, my dear father, tell me what it is?” 

"It is not the death of old Uncle Ned. Oh, 
what can it be?” 

The mother came in looking sad and pale and 
said: "Daughter, be calm and let your father 
tell you all about it.” He braced himself and 
undertook the task. 

"Daughter, you have heard of the suit brought 
in the name of the Coastmyre heirs; well in 
spite of all that I have been able to do they 
have outreached me. They have a woman in 
the city that they positively prove to be the 
granddaughter of the Coastmyres. Besides, after 
paying my attorneys ten thousand dollars, mort- 
gaging my last vendor lean notes, and giving a 
draft for this month’s rent to raise the money, 
they have sold my interest to Stackhouse and I 
am helpless. I haven’t the courage to meet the 
public Monday morning in that farce of a trial. 
The conspiracy is the most audacious since the 
crucifixion of Christ.” 

"Oh, father, how could you let me go on throw- 
ing away your money and disgracing myself, 
believing you had barrels of money, and never 
had any trouble in your life?” 


70 One Heart That Never Ached. 


‘‘Daughter, compared to this I never had 
trouble before,” said Loophold. 

“Then, father, can we not leave this awful 
place this very night and get out of it all ?” asked 
Cattie. 

“No, daughter, there are three good reasons 
why we cannot leave and get away from this 
awful trouble. One is we have no means to 
leave with. Another is should we leave and that 
faithless Hank Stormforth be found, no telling 
what sort of testimony he would give about the 
death of Uncle Ned. And still another stronger 
reason is, the trouble is here, a flame of eternal 
fire in my own soul,” said Loophold. 

The sad mother, who had always expected a 
day of reckoning and always contended that the 
property would some day have to be given up, 
said : 

“Dear, you could go into court and make 
a clear statement, relinquish all claims and per- 
haps they would allow you something for your 
improvements, and then we could begin as we 
were before yau had anything to do with this 
accursed property. You know we were happy 
then and you have never been yourself since you 
first told me your plans about keeping the prop- 
erty.” 

“Dear wife, you forget the people I have sold 
this land to, who have put their own money into 
these buildings. Should I do such a thing they 
would murder me in cold blood. You know how 
bitter the enemies are where I foreclosed mort- 


One Heart That Never Ached. 71 


gages. And since these claims have been set up 
others are clamoring for reimbursement. No, 
no it is hell come to earth. There is old Stack- 
house, who very well knows the ruin this is 
bringing on me, and yet in cold blood he is 
going to push me to the limit.’’ 

After the attempt at explaining the situation 
Mr. Loophold retired for the night. The mother 
and daughter discussed matters till far into the 
night; finally they retired, hoping against hope 
that something would turn in their favor. Mean- 
time a terrific snowstorm struck the city. While 
this storm raged, the piercing, bitter wind howled, 
and the snow drifted and packed up around the 
Loophold house, inside a more terrible storm 
was raging. Evil passions of a depraved man 
contending with the last struggle of conscience. 
After going over the whole situation for the one 
thousandth time, growing more bitter each time, 
until the state of his mind became unbearable, 
he sought relief in prayer. At first he saw him- 
self as a mocker, a gigantic fraud, a stupendous 
hypocrite, a base, vile robber of the innocent and 
helpless. His voice sounded insincere ; he loathed 
himself for what he knew he was. When a 
relaxation of the nervous strain began to take 
place, he dozed and dreamed of a great lady, 
such as he had pictured the heiress of the Coast- 
myre estate to be, standing over him. He felt 
the scalding tears on his hardened face as they 
fell from her drooping eyes. He faintly heard 
her voice as she said : 


72 One Heart That Never Ached. 


“Poor man, you are not as bad as you think 
yourself; you have only been a captive. You 
are one of the immortals of the Eternal ; if you 
will persevere in prayer, faith and obedience, 
you shall yet be free and that forever and ever.” 
As she floated from the room he woke and the 
tears were still on his face. 

Next morning the city was wrapped in a 
mantle of white; sleigh bells were jingling in 
every direction. At breakfast to the surprise of 
mother and daughter Mr. Loophold had a 
brighter face than for months and when he said, 
“This is a raw day but I would like to go to 
church,” they would have been no more sur- 
prised if a clap of thunder had shattered the 
china on the table. Cattie could not remember 
to have seen him at church, and his wife must 
go back to their early married life for a time 
when he had been to church. But they went 
to church, and the usher gave them the attention 
usually paid to strangers of genteel appearance. 

Soon after being seated Mr. Loophold dis- 
covered he had selected the church where Mr. 
Stackhouse worshipped for his present devotions. 
Also he had been seated just across the aisle 
from the seat occupied by the distinguished 
lawyer. The minister was a scholarly fellow, and 
his subject was a kind of aftermath of the 
holiday, summing up the casualties, waste, rev- 
eling, and general demoralization. Comparing 
these with the good cheer, and good fellowship 
of the more thoughtful and better disposed. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 73 


When the plate passed Loophold cast in a half 
dollar, believing that an extraordinary contribu- 
tion. But as the plate passed Stackhouse he cast 
in a five dollar bill and each of his family cast 
in a coin. When they sang the doxology he 
could hear Stackhouse’s voice clear and distinct 
among all others and it appeared to him that the 
lawyer’s whole soul was poured out in those 
few simple words. The congregation dismissed, 
the minister came down to greet the strangers 
and said to Loophold: 

‘^Glad to have you with us. Jones is my 
name.” 

‘^My name is Loophold. This is my wife. My 
daughter, Cattie, Mr. Jones,” said Loophold. 

‘'You are Christians, of course?” said Jones. 

“My wife and daughter are, if there are any, 
and I should like to be,” replied Loophold. 

“Glad to know you, and delighted to hear you 
say that,” said Jones. Stackhouse turned to pass 
out of the pew and they were face to face. 
Stackhouse greeted him with a smile of recogni- 
tion, bowed to the ladies and was passing when 
Loophold remarked: 

“I will see you early in the morning.” Stack- 
house, entirely mistaking the purpose of his visit, 
said, 

“Too busy; call any other time.” Loophold, 
knowing he was misunderstood, bowed, smiled 
and quietly passed out and returned home. That 
long winter evening wore away and not a word 
was said about the Coastmyre estate case. After 
breakfast Monday morning Loophold said : 


74 One Heart That Never Ached. 


‘T guess I will be up about the court house 
most of the day, and may take dinner up town.’’ 
With this mild reference to the suit he walked 
out. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


The Trial Opens. 

The weather was stinging cold, but a great 
crowd had gathered at the court house; some 
were witnesses, some idle spectators, many others 
from anxious curiosity. The defendants, about 
one hundred and twenty in number, with Mr. 
Loophold at their head as the most interested 
party, were grouped together at the head of the 
bar, with their attorneys immediately in their 
front inside the rails. Lawyers were thick and 
busy all around the bar. The claimant was close 
into the rails, with Turpin, Weber and Holcum 
seated around her on the right of the bar. Her 
attorneys were inside, Stackhouse’s straight, 
slender form towering above all others, active 
in movement and brain. 

Prompt to a second court was called; bailiffs 
slipped around on tiptoe; in short order every- 
one found a seat. Silence prevailed and the case 
of Miss Joan Allgaits against Loophold and 
others named in petition, was called. The chief 
attorneys sought each other, counseled, juggled, 
gesticulated, frowned, smiled, bowed to each 
other. Stackhouse rose and addressed the court : 

“Your honor, the plaintiff is ready for trial.” 
The judge bowed approval, and looked toward 


76 One Heart That Never Ached. 

the defendant. Rainbridge rose and offered a 
motion for continuance, on the plea of the ab- 
sence of important witnesses. 

‘‘Name absent witnesses and acquaint the 
court with points expected to be proven by them,” 
said the judge. 

“Your honor. Hank Stormforth is absent, by 
whom we expected to prove an important point 
concerning certain papers offered as evidence by 
plaintiff,” said Rainbridge. 

“You will be more explicit, or the motion will 
be ruled out,” said the judge. Loophold pulled 
at the attorney's coat, he bent over and Loophold 
whispered in his ear. Rainbridge showed em- 
barrassment, turning to the judge, he said: 

“I should like to have a word with the counsel 
for plaintiff, your honor.” The judge nodded 
approval. Rainbridge and Stackhouse put their 
heads together and whispered a bit. Stackhouse 
smiled and reached over the rail to Turpin, they 
passed a few words undertone. Stackhouse said : 

“Your honor, if counsel for defendants will 
withdraw the motion and let the case come up 
at once we will be responsible for the appearance 
of the witness complained of.” Rainbridge and 
Loophold both showed great embarrassment, 
passed a few words aside and Rainbridge with- 
drew the motion. Stackhouse rose again and 
said: 

“The petition of plaintiff, as on file and known 
to defendants, prays the honorable court for the 
right and title in fee-simple of a certain parcel 


One Heart That Never Ached. 77 

of land being situated in the city of Chicago, 
State of Illinois, being all of that part of the 
city known as River Street addition to the city 
of Chicago, containing eleven blocks more par- 
ticularly described in deed of conveyance from 
June Casadine to Orison Coastmyre and wife. 
We expect to prove Miss Joan Allgaits sole 
heiress to this estate by identification as grand- 
daughter of the Coastmyres, and the only blood 
relation living. Therefore we pray the honorable 
court to grant our petition. The brief sum of 
which is the immediate possession of said eleven 
blocks, with all improvements and appertinences 
in any way belonging thereto; together with a 
judgment for back rent in the sum of two hun- 
dred thousand dollars. We are now ready to 
present Miss Allgaits at court and make full 
proof of all claims set forth in our petition.’' 

Mr. Rainbridge arose and announced plea of 
defendant, he said: 

''We challenge the Casadine and Coastmyre 
title. We also challenge the claim of Miss All- 
gaits as heiress to the Coastmyre estate.” 

The judge called for Miss Allgaits to take the 
stand for identification. Stackhouse opened the 
gate, took Joan by the arm and led her to the 
stand. A murmur of astonishment passed 
through the crowd as this little, plainly-dressed 
girl was placed before the court. She was so 
small none but those nearest by could see her. 
Others strained their necks and even arose from 
their seats trying to get sight of this wonderful 


78 One Heart That Never Ached. 


girl. Her face was still completely hid in the 
Quaker blue bonnet and the thick brown veil. 
Stackhouse turned facing the court and said : 

‘‘Your honor, I beg leave to introduce Miss 
Allgaits, the plaintiflf, whom we have the pleas- 
ure of representing in this case.’’ The judge 
said: 

“Will you kindly request the plaintiff to remove 
her veil.” Stackhouse spoke tenderly and said : 

“Miss Allgaits, you will please remove your 
veil.” Joan shook her head. Stackhouse more 
gently repeated his request, and she simply 
shook her head. Stackhouse reached over and 
whispered to her but she still shook her head. 
Stackhouse then addressed the court and said: 

“Miss Allgaits is over sensitive, and being her 
first appearance in court she is greatly embar- 
rassed. Will you kindly allow her to retain the 
veil for the present, your honor.” The court 
signified a willingness to proceed without the 
veil being removed. But Rainbridge arose and 
said : 

“Your honor, we object. We do not propose 
to be forced into a trial against the claims of 
what might, for all we know, be an Egyptian 
mummy.” The judge said: 

“The court grants the request of the plaintiff.” 
Rainbridge said : “Miss Allgaits, upon what 
grounds do you seek to be identified as grand- 
daughter to Orison Coastmyre?” 

“He was my mother’s father, sir,” said Joan. 

“What was your mother’s name ?” asked Rain- 
bridge. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 79 

‘Tsedora Allgaits, sir,’’ said Joan. 

‘‘Then how were you related to Coastmyre?” 

“My mother was first named Isedora Coast- 
myre, sir, and she was married to my father, 
Conway Allgaits, sir,” said Joan. 

“Did you ever see your mother?” 

“Yes sir,” said Joan. 

“When and where did you see her last?” Joan 
hesitated and tSackhouse said: 

“I object to the question.” The judge said: 

“The question is admitted.” Rainbridge said: 

“Tell the court when and where you saw your 
mother last.” 

“It was when I was very small. We were 
sailing on the ocean somewhere, and I saw the 
men bring her out of the room on a large board. 
My father was carrying me in his arms, and he 
was crying. When the men came to the rail 
they tilted the board and I saw mother rise up 
in a great flock of big white swans, and they 
flew away with her up into the sky,” said Joan. 

“Your honor,” said Rainbridge, “the incom- 
petency of the witness is too palpable to need 
a challenge. We simply ask the court to set the 
testimony aside, and bar the witness further 
hearing in the case.” 

“Your honor, before we are through with this 
case the attorney for the defense will be fully 
convinced of the competency of plaintiff as a 
witness in the case,” said Stackhouse. “He in- 
sisted on asking a question, to answer which 
plaintiff was dependent on infant memory. When 


80 One Heart That Never Ached. 

we remember the effect of a common burial on 
land upon the wisest of men, and then remember 
this was a burial at sea, at the dead hour of a 
very dark night, her answer is not strange. Also, 
plaintiff was an infant; the corpse was the 
mother, the only visible succor, the only object 
the little infant heart had learned to love. Be- 
sides being pulled out among death torches in 
the hands of rough sailors the little one may 
have seen a flock of seafowl circling around the 
dismal scene. How much pleasanter to imagine 
the mother rising among the fowls than going 
down in the dark waters.’’ 

‘Tlease, sir, it was not imagination. I saw 
it with my eyes,” said Joan. 

‘‘Your honor, in spite of the pretty talk of 
the plaintiff’s attorney, the incompetency of the 
witness is established,” said Rainbridge. 

“Your honor, everyone who has witnessed a 
burial at sea of some loved one has impressions 
on the memory inexplainable. Besides in this 
case no one knows the extent of the vision of 
an infant at the burial of a mother at sea. For 
all we know they may have a clear view of things 
entirely hid from the eyes of such as we are. 
I insist on the competency of the plaintiff as a 
witness,” said Stackhouse. 

“The witness will be heard until both sides are 
satisfied,” ruled the judge. 

“Do you know anything about Mr. Coastmyre 
and his wife?” 

“Certainly; they were my grandparents,” said 

Joan. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 81 

''Will you please tell the court when and 
where you saw them last/’ said Rainbridge. 

"It must have been a very long time ago, but 
it seems but yesterday. We were in a great 
house, grandfather, grandmother and myself. 
Papa was gone out to look for work. Grand- 
father and grandmother were singing and pray- 
ing. We heard a great noise. They rose and 
started for the door. Grandfather picked me up 
in his arms and took grandmother by the hand 
and when we got to the door a great chariot 
of fire was rushing up to the house. Grandfather 
saw my papa coming and he dropped me over 
the garden wall for papa, and they stepped into 
the chariot and went sailing up to the sky. A 
great company of angels were circling around 
them, singing and playing on golden harps. 
Grandfather was singing, too, and grandmother 
was shouting,” said Joan. 

"Your honor, I insist on a decision of the 
court on the incompetency of plaintiff as witness 
in this case. Why, sir, such visionary stories 
have not been heard in court since the supersti- 
tious days of haunts, ghosts and hob-gobblins,” 
said Rainbridge. 

"I insist equally on the competency of the 
witness, your honor,” replied Stackhouse. "I 
wish to call to mind many extraordinary impres- 
sions photographed on the memory of adults, 
who were rescued from that awful holocaust on 
October 9th, 1871. Our client, the witness, being 
then nothing but an infant and passing through 


82 One Heart That Never Ached. 

the flames as she did, it is no wonder she saw 
and heard things to which we are both blind and 
deaf.” 

Here court adjourned for luncheon. Mean- 
time the morbid crowd scattered in every direc- 
tion, sowing the city broadcast with supernatural 
reports of the heiress of the Coastmyre estate. 
Her testimony was repeated with various and 
monstrous additions, and affirmed to have been 
accepted in court as good and authentic evidence. 
When court reconvened the house was packed, 
the corridors were filled with gaping crowds 
anxious to get sight of the new-found wonder. 
Bailiffs had to be called to open a passage for 
the court, attorneys, clients and witnesses. The 
judge took his seat and Miss Allgaits was placed 
on the stand. She was asked if she remembered 
being at the hospital. She hesitated a bit and 
said ; . 

“I remember where they took pieces off my 
head with my hair sticking to them.” Stack- 
house here said, ‘T wish to read in court the 
record of the hospital as it pertains to plaintiff. 
The court assented and he read. 

“On October 9th, 1871, a girl child supposed 
to be about three years old was brought in by 
one giving the name of Conway Allgaits, claim- 
ing to be the father. The child was said to have 
been rescued from the Coastmyre building, while 
all other occupants perished in the flames. It 
was also stated the child was granddaughter to 
the Coastmyres. She was so badly burned no 


One Heart That Never Ached. 83 

hopes were entertained for her recovery. Por- 
tions of the scalp came oif ; the eyebrows sloughed 
off; the nose was disfigured, eyelids drawn, lips 
crisped, clothes scorched, hands and arms badly 
burned. The child was carried away and sup- 
posed to have died.’^ 

‘T object to the offered testimony on the 
grounds that it is manufactured for the occa- 
sion,” said Rainbridge. ‘‘Here we are taking 
up the time of the court with a witness perhaps 
hiding her real identity behind that huge veil. 
I insist the witness and testimony be set aside.” 

At this instant Joan hooked her finger under 
the back part of her little blue bonnet and 
flipped off bonnet and veil. There, before the 
judge, attorneys, witnesses and the great crowd 
of spectators, she sat with an indescribable ap- 
pearance. Her head with bare spots all over 
it; her face almost hideous. Stackhouse rose 
to his feet and broke the silence that followed 
this strange voluntary exhibition and said: 

‘^Your honor, the testimony now before the 
court is unanswerable.” A perfect babble broke 
out in the audience; the court was nonplussed. 
One spectator spoke out above the hum of voices 
and said: 

“That’s not human ; it’s a spectre. Loophold 
may just as well give up that property. It will 
do something to him. I always knew Coastmyre 
would play even with him.” Other remarks 
began to be heard, some left the room shaking 
their heads. The court called for “order.” Joan 


84 One Heart That Never Ached. 

whipped her little blue bonnet on with the veil 
still attached. Others started for the door, con- 
sternation on their faces. At this singular effect 
Joan laughed out a clear, hearty burst, and pulled 
Stackhouse's coat and asked him to beg pardon 
of the court. Stackhouse smiled, turned to 
Rainbridge and asked : 

‘‘What do you think of the competency of 
the plaintiff as a witness in the case now?" 

“If the Coastmyre title was as clear as her 
competency and identity we would have the case." 
When order was restored Richard Donley Weber 
was called to the stand. 

“Mr. Weber, do you know the plaintiff. Miss 
Joan Allgaits?" said Stackhouse. 

“Yes sir," said Weber. 

“Where and how long have you known her," 
said Stackhouse. 

“I first met her when quite a child, about three 
years old I think, about the 20th of December, 
1871. I met her then at Punta Gorda, Florida. 
I have met her at intervals since then until about 
the 20th of December, last. I met her then on 
the Everglades and traveled with her from there 
to Chicago," said Weber. 

“When did you first hear of Miss Allgaits’ 
claim of being heiress to the Coastmyre estate?" 
said Rainbridge. 

“Just before starting to Chicago," said Weber. 

“Before that did you ever hear any strange 
stories about Miss Allgaits’ origin?" said Rain- 
bridge. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 85 

'T object/’ said Stackhouse. 

''My question is one leading up to a very 
pertinent question and I insist on an answer/’ 
said Rainbridge. The judge signified the witness 
might answer. 

"Yes, it was told among sailors that she fell 
from a cloud of flame in the great Chicago fire,” 
said Weber. "Of which you have abundant 
said Weber. 

"Of which you have abundant proof,” added 
Stackhouse. Weber was excused and court ad- 
journed. 

When the crowd dispersed the whole city was 
freshly supplied with marvelous stories about the 
wonderful heiress and her unearthly appearance. 
Many additions to Weber’s last statement, with 
fresh reference to the chariot of fire and the 
big white swans were circulated most indus- 
triously. It was reported that the suit was de- 
cided in favor of the plaintiff, the judge with- 
holding the decision from the public until the 
attorneys could arrange matters to avoid local 
friction. 

When Weber, Turpin and Miss Allgaits got 
to their quarters they found Allgaits and Captain 
Granby in the office. Captain Granby said: 

"We should have been here yesterday but were 
unavoidably delayed.” 

"What did you do with my pets, and who are 
attending to my flowers?” asked Joan. 

"Well, we got the Brownlees to come and take 
charge of everything. They were glad to get 


86 One Heart That Never Ached. 


upon the mound away from that awful swamp 
of theirs/’ said the captain. 

“How do you like the city?” said Allgaits. 

“Oh. it all seems like a dream to me,” said 
Joan. 

“Have you seen that great estate yet?” said 
the captain. 

“Yes, and you may not believe it, but there 
are over a hundred houses on it, some of them 
renting for over a hundred dollars a month. 
And these men say they are all mine and that 
they must pay me back rent. I do not believe 
it. Why, captain, it would make a large town,” 
said Joan. 

“Well, you may do as you like about taking 
their houses if the court gives you the property,” 
said Allgaits. 

“No sir; Stackhouse says it must be a clean 
sweep or the trouble will be endless,” said Tur- 
pin. 

“Better leave the whole management of the 
matter to the attorney; you might complicate 
things if you go to making concessions,” said 
the captain. 


CHAPTER IX. 


Relieved at Last. 

Loophold returned home looking relieved; his 
wife and daughter supposed the suit had been 
continued, or that he had gained some advantage. 
But after their evening meal he said: 

‘'Well, the Coastmyre heiress is fully identified, 
and her claim to this entire property will be 
established to-morrow, and we must rent or 
move.’’ 

“Oh, father, that is awful ; haven’t you money 
enough at your command to buy it back and not 
let this awful disgrace go to the public?” said 
the daughter. 

“Dear daughter, the whole city knows all that 
has taken place, and have heard of much that 
has not taken place. I am only troubled now 
about innocent purchasers, who like us will have 
to give up their houses,” said Loophold. 

“Why, father, you do not mean that people 
you have sold property to and given warrantee 
deeds will have to lose their homes, do you?” 
said the daughter. 

“Yes, daughter, they will all have to give them 
up. I have a few mining stocks, if I can realize 
anything on them as far as they go I shall reim- 
burse, beginning with the poorest,” said Loop- 
hold. 


88 One Heart That Never Ached. 

‘‘Father, perhaps the great lady will share her 
new-found fortune with us, as she must know 
that after living as we have all our lives it would 
be worse than if we knew something of the 
hardships of life.’’ 

“Did you see Miss Allgaits ?” said the daughter. 

“Yes, I saw her, she sat in the court-room all 
day. No, there is no hope of favor. Stackhouse 
has the entire management of the suit for plain- 
tiff, and is as cold and inflexible as steel ; besides 
he has done his work well; every point is sup- 
ported by undubitable testimony. He has papers 
and records that we never could find,” said Loop- 
hold. 

“How does the great lady look, father; is she 
refined,” said the daughter. 

“She cannot be described; she is diminutive, 
ill-formed, and her face when seen is torture 
itself to look at,” said Loophold. 

“Father, do you mean she hides her face?” said 
the daughter. 

“Yes, daughter, she wears a little Quaker- 
shaped bonnet and a very thick veil. She took 
it off once during court and I saw her face, 
and I hope never to see it again,” said Loophold. 

“Oh, heavens ! mercy on me f what shall I do ?” 
said the daughter. 

“What do you mean, daughter?” said Loop- 
hold. 

“I have seen that little demon. I thought she 
was a beggar and offered her alms. I also 
offered to teach her music. What will I do if 
I ever meet her again?” said the daughter. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 89 

‘'Well, if you offered her kindness when you 
thought she needed it, surely she will be more 
favorable to you in your time of need,’^ said 
Loophold. 

“How could I receive favor of such a one 
if people knew of it. Oh I shall never be happy 
again,’’ said the daughter. The mother spoke 
timidly and said: 

“Daughter, do not worry your father; he has 
enough to bear up under. If you will but keep 
quiet he will manage everything well, and when 
it is all off his mind we will in some way be 
provided for. I most sincerely wish it was all 
over and we had something else to think about. 
This has preyed on my mind for years. I knew 
the property was not ours, and that some day 
we would have to give it up; so I am glad it is 
this near over.” 

“Dear wife, I am truly glad to hear you say 
that; I intend going to my attorneys to-morrow 
morning and turn the whole matter over to 
them, mining stocks and all, and then we will 
begin to think of something else. When they 
have settled everything they can let us know 
how it all stands,” said Loophold. 

At the office of the Daily Times Clarion the 
old captain semed greatly interested in Weber’s 
editorial position. After talking over the paper 
business, he said: 

“I have a great friend in Colorado, who writes 
me to buy all the mining stock I can find of the 
Diabole’s Gulch. He is working in the shaft 


90 One Heart That Never Ached. 


there, and says he has found a lead of solid free 
gold that v^ill yield a world supply, and he is 
keeping it a secret until the stock can be found 
and bought up by private friends. I have a small 
sum laid by and wish to invest it in that stock.” 

‘‘You had better keep out of such traps as 
that, unless you are a thoroughly well posted 
miner,” said Turpin. 

“That is all right, but find me the stock. I am 
informed all of it is owned in Chicago,” said 
the captain. 

“In that case I can find it for you in twenty- 
four hours, every share of it,” said Turpin. 

“All right, but mind you keep silent about my 
information,” said the captain. 

“Captain, don’t you think you ought to tell 
the owners of the stock, what you know, when 
you offer to buy it,” said Joan. 

“Well now, honey, that might be nice for an 
innocent thing like you, but if an old salt should 
do such a thing they would laugh at him,” said 
the captain. 

“They will more likely laugh at you when you 
bite at such a bait and go out to look for the 
free gold,” said Turpin. “There is not a greater 
set of swindlers on earth than these mine pro- 
moters.” 

“Never mind, sonny, old sea fish rarely bite 
off more than they can chew,” said the captain. 

“I will find you the stock all right,” said 
Turpin. And they retired for the evening meal 
and lodgings. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 91 

Early next morning Stackhouse entered the 
office of the Daily Times Clarion, and the first 
thing that caught his eye was an advertisement 
of Diaboles Gulch stock, and he said: 

''Who wants this?’’ 

"Captain Granby,” said Weber. 

"I have my finger on every share; cite him 
to me. I guess it is hardly necessary to warn 
him of its worthlessness,” said Stackhouse. 

"I think not. He seems to prefer his own 
judgment,” said Weber. 

"Well, I just happen to know that Loophold 
got sucked in by a pretended friend who claimed 
to have found an enormous vein of free gold, 
and was keeping it secret until private friends 
could secure the stock. And Loophold was so 
avaricious, and, being flush, bought the whole 
stock. Then, of course, he and the friend fell out 
about the friend’s bonus. And he learned, as 
usual, that he had been swindled. Now he wishes 
to unload at any price,” said Stackhouse. 

"Precisely the story the captain is biting at,” 
said Weber. A rap at the door stopped the 
conversation, the door was opened and Rain- 
bridge walked in, took a seat and said: 

"Judge Stackhouse, I have been on your trail 
all the morning; can I have a few minutes of 
your time?” 

"Just ten minutes,” said Stackhouse. 

"Well, our client wishes to make settlement 
at once. We yield the claims of plaintiff, and 
offer a full surrender of all the real estate, and, 


92 One Heart That Never Ached. 

as an offset to the back rent claim, v^e turn in 
the entire stock of the rich Diaboles Gulch gold 
mines, on condition that you satisfy all claims of 
innocent purchasers, held against Loophold.” 

‘T must have a decision of the court. Loop- 
hold has bungled so many of his foreclosures 
we would have endless suits at great cost. While 
we have matters in hand we must make an end 
of it by a full decision of the court,’’ said Stack- 
house. 

‘‘Very well, we do not object to a decision 
in court. But will you accept our offer,” said 
Rainbridge. 

''How much stock have you,” said Stackhouse. 

"One thousand shares at one hundred dollars 
per share par value,” said Rainbridge. 

"I will accept your offer, provided this has no 
reference to foreclosures or suits now pending 
between Loophold and former purchasers,” said 
Stackhouse. 

"Good,” said Rainbridge, and he signed and 
turned over the one thousand mining shares. 
Stackhouse placed them in his pouch, winked at 
Weber and started for the court house. By the 
time the litigants reached the court house it was 
crowded to the limit. The judge took his seat 
and Rainbridge rose and said: 

"Your honor, defendants wish to make a plea 
of concession in favor of the plaintiff as per 
agreement of attorneys on both sides.” The 
judge permitted him to proceed. And he said, 
"Defendants concede the claims of plaintiff ex- 


One Heart That Never Ached. 93 

cept the claim for back rent/’ Stackhouse ad- 
dressed the court and said: 

‘‘Your honor, we accept plea of defendant, if 
accompanied by full decision of the court, and 
in this acceptance we acknowledge compensation 
for back rent claim, as set forth in our petition.” 

The court then took a recess, announcing that 
the decision would be given at the afternoon 
session. All documentary evidence was sub- 
mitted without question or rebuttal, and the great 
crowd dispersed with disappointment. Stack- 
house returned to his office and sent for Captain 
Granby and Miss Allgaits. When they arrived 
he said: 

“Now, captain, I have here belonging to Miss 
Allgaits one thousand mining shares at par value. 
They represent one hundred dollars each. But 
taking them in settlement as we have, if you wish 
to invest in such property, we can sell to you 
very much cheaper than that.” 

“What is your price, judge?” said the captain. 

“Well, sir, with Miss Allgaits’ permission we 
will sell you the entire stock for ten thousand 
dollars.” 

“What, do you think it that near valueless?” 
said the captain. 

“That, sir, is my figure, with Miss Allgaits’ 
consent,” said Stackhouse. 

“What says the little woman ?” said the captain. 

“Why if it is my property Mr. Stackhouse has 
full control, and is much the best judge of what 
ought to be done with it,” said Joan. 

“Well, you remember your requirement of me 


94 One Heart That Never Ached. 


to tell the owner what I knew about the mining 
stock before buying it, so perhaps I had better 
inform your business manager that there is an 
immense fortune in the Diaboles Gulch stock, 
said the captain. 

‘‘Captain, if you take this stock at the price, 
it is yours, and we are in no way responsible for 
results,” said Stackhouse. 

“But, captain, this is not the property you 
spoke of to Mr. Turpin,” said Joan. 

“It is the same,” said the captain. 

“How then could it belong to me, and how 
can two men so well informed about values differ 
so much as you and Mr. Stackhouse?” said Joan. 

“Captain, I have a heavy press of business; 
will you take the stock at the price ?” said Stack- 
house. 

“Sure,” said the captain. “Then make out 
your check while I sign over the shares,” said 
Stackhouse. This done he said: 

“Captain, I hope you may make a million out 
of your mines.” 

“I surely think I will,” said the captain. When 
Loophold got home after the settlement in the 
court his daughter met him at the door with the 
Daily Times Clarion in her hand and said: 

“Father, here is an inquiry for the very mining 
stock you wish to sell.” He took the paper and 
said : 

“I wish I had seen this before I met Rain- 
bridge; still I think this a trick of Stackhouse. 
Anyway, the suit is settled and we are free to 
begin life over unincumbered but penniless.” 


CHAPTER X. 


The Decision and Some Results. 

That afternoon the court rendered a decision 
giving plaintiff full title and immediate posses- 
sion of the eleven blocks, with all improvements. 
Stackhouse went at once to Weber’s office and 
said: 

‘'Mr. Weber, if you will resign your editorial 
office I will give you an agency for the Coast- 
myre estate, with a handsome salary.” 

“My understanding with Turpin was that this 
was but a temporary affair. I am ready to give 
it up at his wish, but I should not like to take 
the agency for the Coastmyre estate without 
consulting Miss Allgaits,” said Weber. 

“You are a very prudent man, but to save you 
that trouble I now inform you that I am acting 
on her suggestion. Her father also approves it 
and Captain Granby is delighted with the idea. 
So if you say the word we will go down to-day 
and fit you up an office, and I will assist you 
until the occupants are all arranged with. After 
you have the business well in hand you will need 
no further service from me,” said Stackhouse. 

In a short time they were down on River 
Street and had selected an office in one of the 
handsome buildings, and the adjustment of the 


96 One Heart That Never Ached. 

business was soon completed. Rent rolls were 
made out alphabetically, some rents raised, and 
others reduced. When the rent rolls were footed 
up it was enormous and a great surprise even to 
Stackhouse. Weber secured splendid lodging in 
the same building next his office, and began to 
be at ease in his new employment. Miss Allgaits 
and Turpin came in to see about permanent 
made lodging for her, and Weber said: 

‘‘There is a nice cottage going to be vacated 
in the neighborhood of Mr. Loophold’s resi- 
dence.’’ 

“But she is not ready to set up housekeeping; 
nice, comfortable lodging would suit her better 
for the present,” said Turpin. 

“Yes, how is the lodging in this quarter?” said 
Joan. 

“Just fine, and perhaps you might get rooms 
here. I will see the landlady at once; she is an 
elegant woman,” said Weber. He left at once 
on his errand. Loophold and his daughter en- 
tered as Weber left the room, and Loophold 
said : 

“My name is Loophold; are you the agent?” 

“No, sir; my name is Turpin. Mr. Weber has 
just stepped out, but will be in presently,” said 
Turpin. 

“This is my daughter, Cattie, Mr. Turpin,” 
said Loophold. 

“Miss Loophold, I am happy to meet you. 
This is Miss Allgaits, Miss Loophold,” said 
Turpin. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 97 

'T am glad to know you, Miss Loophold,” said 
Joan. 

‘T believe we have met before,’’ said Cattie. 
By this time Weber entered with the landlady, 
and introduced her to Turpin and Miss Allgaits, 
and was introduced to Loophold and Miss Cattie. 
Loophold said: 

‘‘Mr. Weber, we came to see on what terms you 
could let us the house. We should have come 
sooner, but we just last night decided to keep 
the house this year, if your terms were reason- 
able.” 

“We are glad to have you keep the house as 
long as it may be agreeable to you, and we will 
certainly make you fair terms,” said Weber. Mrs. 
Dupont, the landlady, turned to Joan and said: 

“Mr. Weber says you desire rooms for your- 
self?” 

“Yes, if you have suitable rooms to spare,” said 
Joan. 

“Well, I have now to let the nicest in the 
house since Mr. Guizot and wife left for Paris. 
Nothing in Chicago like these rooms. Come with 
me and look at them for yourself,” said Mrs. 
Dupont. Joan looked at Turpin and rose to go 
and Mrs. Dupont said: 

“Come with us, sir.” 

“Excuse me, I am no judge of apartments for 
a lady ; take Miss Loophold along,” said Turpin. 
Miss Cattie shook her head, and Joan said: 
“Please come, we will be gone but a minute.” 

Mrs. Dupont said, “Come with us, dear.” 


98 One Heart That Never Ached. 


At this the three ladies left the room. When 
they reached the suite to be examined Joan was 
simply amazed at the grandeur of the furnish- 
ings. Mrs. Dupont said: 

‘'Now, there is nothing lacking here for con- 
venience, comfort and entertainment. These 
rooms were fitted up for a French nobleman and 
wife. They come high, but I told Mr. Weber 
in order to get such a nice occupant I should 
favor you in the price. The suite will cost you 
fifteen dollars a week.’’ 

“Where shall I take meals?” said Joan. 

“Right here if you desire,” said Mrs. Dupont. 

“I have but one objection; they are just too 
magnificent. But I will take the rooms,” said 
Joan. 

“I am so glad I can please you. Here are 
your keys, and your meals will be served 
promptly at any hour you may appoint,” said 
Mrs. Dupont. 

“You may present the bills to Mr. Weber,” 
said Joan. 

“Thank you,” said Mrs. Dupont. 

“I wish you to call me Joan. I like Allgaits 
for my father’s name, but not for myself. If 
you will call me Joan others will sooner learn 
to use that name,” said Joan. 

“Well, how peculiar you are. All right. Miss 
Joan. Now that you are at home, and going to 
be so familiar I will be excused,” said Mrs. 
Dupont, as she left the two ladies. 

“I hope you will visit me here often ; we must 


One Heart That Never Ached. 99 


get better acquainted/’ said Joan. want you 
to own your same great house. If you will allow 
me I will make it yours as soon as Mr. Weber 
and your father know each other well enough 
to be intimate friends.” 

''Oh dear, we could never own the house in 
that way. We expect to begin all over again and 
of course we cannot move in the same circles, so 
after this year a much smaller house will suit 
us better,” said Cattie. 

"Well, now, suppose you had an opportunity to 
pay for the house outright would you not like 
to own it and live in it just the same as before? 
I feel sure that we are going to be close friends, 
and if you like me I can arrange that you may 
buy the house very soon,” said Joan. 

"Oh, that is utterly impossible; father has no 
money and nothing upon which to realize for 
any purpose,” said Cattie. 

"My plan is for you to buy the house with 
your own resources,” said Joan. 

"Me! why, little girl, I have not a penny and 
never earned a penny in all my life. My edu- 
cation is so superficial I cannot teach or be a 
saelswoman ; in fact I know of nothing by which 
I can earn my bread. If I could only support 
myself it would be a comfort to us all and such 
a relief to mother,” said Cattie. 

"Will you work my plan, if I tell it to you !” 
said Joan. 

"I might hear it before promising,” said Cattie. 

"I will tell you the plan, and if you join me, 


100 One Heart That Never Ached. 


I know you can own the house. If you refuse 
to join me, then I know you do not wish to 
own the house,’' said Joan. 

‘‘How strange you talk ; you must be visionary. 
I have often read of such people, but I think 
you are the only one I ever talked with,” said 
Cattie. 

“Yes, I have a vision, no one ever did any- 
thing good or great without a vision,” said Joan. 

“You do not mean you really see into the 
future, do you,” said Cattie. 

“Yes, and if you give me your co-operation 
I can show you the vision,” said Joan. 

“Really you make me think of a Gypsy. What 
will you do to me if I agree to your plans,” said 
Cattie. 

“I do not know why I make you think of a 
Gypsy. I am surely not like any one of them 
I ever saw,” said Joan. 

“Oh, I did not mean you looked like one; 
if you remember, I have never seen your face,” 
said Cattie. 

“I would much prefer to show you my heart, 
for how my face looks I am not responsible ; but 
for how my heart feels I am responsible,” said 
Joan. 

“That is a paradox to me. I have always 
thought we were responsible for how our faces 
looked and could not help how our heart felt,” 
said Cattie. 

“But you have surely learned that if you con- 
trol yourself you can feel just as you want to 
all the time,” said Joan. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 101 


‘Tndeed, I have self-control in a measure, but 
I never felt as I wished to in my life,” said 
Cattie. 

'Tt would be strange, if you governed your 
thoughts, your words and your actions if you 
did not feel right afterwards,” said Joan. 

''Oh, I did not know you were a preacher and 
a lecturer,” said Cattie. 

"I am neither ; but the first thing I ever learned 
was self-control, and I have never had a heart- 
ache in all my life,” said Joan. 

"Dear child, I never heard anyone talk like 
that before,” said Cattie. 

"Nor have I talked so to anyone before, and 
now only that I may help you,” said Joan. 

"Do tell me your plan. I was never so in- 
terested in anyone in all my life,” said Cattie. 

"I am glad you are interested; one cannot 
accomplish anything unless interested. But I 
much prefer to have you interested in the plan 
so I will give it to you. To-morrow morning 
you go to Mr. Stackhouse and ask him to price 
the house to you ; he knows more about values 
than Mr. Weber. You tell him that it is my 
purpose to sell you the house, if the price suits 
you and you can raise the money. While you 
visit Mr. Stackhouse I will visit Snyder Vilander- 
schleicher and make an engagement with him for 
you to sing at his place ten nights,” said Joan. 

"Oh, dear me, I have so deceived you, Mr. 
Vilanderschleicher’s offer to me was a mere com- 
pliment, a flattery. I cannot sing for the public. 


102 One Heart That Never Ached. 


I have made three of the lamest eflforts and never 
received an encore, even from the coarsest hearer. 
So, dear, your vision is at an end,” said Cattie. 

‘‘No, no, I am not making my plan on what 
you can do at all. You go on and do your part 
with Mr. Stackhouse, and trust me to make the 
engagement with Vilanderschleicher,” said Joan. 

“But, dear, I know I cannot sing, and Mr. 
Vilanderschleicher knows I cannot sing, so what 
is the use of you going to him. Besides father 
was so mortified at my failures I know he never 
would consent for me to make another effort,” 
said Cattie. 

“Will you do your part as I ask you, and trust 
me to do my part?” said Joan. 

“Indeed, it is no use to go further. I am 
so sorry I deceived you,” said Cattie. 

“Then I must tell you. I have not been de- 
ceived by what you told me, nor have I based 
my plan on your gift in music. But you are 
pretty and can dress ever so fine. My plan is to 
make the engagement with Vilanderschleicher for 
you to sit where the audience can see you. I will 
take my place behind the scenes, and you work 
your mouth and heave your chest, and I will 
sing. And Vilanderschleicher and the audience 
will do the rest and in ten nights the deed to 
the house will be in your hands,” said Joan. 

“Oh, dear little girl, are you so self-deceived 
as that? Once I was that silly, but the awful 
disgrace of the failure took all of that deception 
out of me,” said Cattie. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 103 


''You are the most skeptical woman I ever met; 
or you believe in no one but yourself,” said Joan. 

"Indeed I do not believe in myself at all, and 
that is why I cannot go further with this visionary 
scheme,” said Cattie. 

"But when I tell you it can be done, you will 
not believe me, but persist in your own judgment 
that it cannot be done,” said Joan. 

"Dear girl, I believe your heart is good, but 
this is all silly or else you intend to give me the 
house, making a sham at the singing and paying 
for the house. I never could take the house 
from you as a gift, but I had much rather do 
that than have the public see through the sham 
and be laughing at me,” said Cattie. 

' "Now I will have to tell you what I did not 
wish to. I have an offer from Vilanderschleicher 
for one thousand dollars for the first night and 
five thousand before the week ends. I do not 
sing for money and refused his offer. Now for 
your sake, and because I love you, I have decided 
to work this plan. We can practice a little here 
and if we cannot sing together then you must 
sing very low and your voice will be entirely 
swallowed up in mine and no one can tell thei% 
is but one singing,” said Joan. 

"This all looks visionary to me,” said Cattie. 

"Will you come in the morning, and I will have 
Vilanderschleicher come, and you may sit in the 
room next this and hear my deal with him ?” said 
Joan. 

"Will you promise that he shall not know I 
am here?” said Cattie. 


104 One Heart That Never Ached. 

‘‘Yes, he may not know,” said Joan. 

“Then I will come at nine in the morning,” 
said Cattie. 

“Very well ; to save you an embarrassing trip 
I will have Mr. Stackhouse meet you here at Mr. 
Weber’s office,” said Joan. With this agreement 
they returned to the office where the gentlemen 
were through with their business transaction and 
were engaged in social conversation. 

“Well, you must like the lodgings,” said Tur- 
pin. 

“They are too fine, but I shall use them for a 
while, at least,” said Joan. 

“Then you will not return with me?” said 
Turpin. 

“Not if I may trouble you to send down my 
things,” said Joan. 

“Oh there is no trouble in that,” said Turpin. 

“Mr. Loophold, I and your daughter are going 
to be close friends,” said Joan. 

“I am glad to know that,” said Loophold. 

“Yes, father, I esteem Miss Allgaits’ friend- 
ship very highly,” said Cattie. 

“Miss Loophold, I shall ask you to call me 
Joan, if you please. I wish everyone to call me 
by that name,” said Joan. Turpin laughed and 
said: 

“You will have Weber calling you Joan next.” 

“I mean to,” said Joan. 

“After that, what will you have me call you?” 
said Turpin. 

“The same,” said Joan. Turpin smiled again; 
Weber blushed and Loophold said: 


One Heart That Never Ached. 105 

‘T believe Mr. Weber would like to call you 
Joan; I know I should if I were him.” 

'T wish you to as you are,” said Joan. 

'T declare it seems strange, at such short 
acquaintance, but I feel that I must call you 
Joan,” said Cattie. 

'T should like to myself, but I dare not where 
Mr. Weber is,” said Turpin. 

'‘You may where anybody is,” said Joan. 

"The name is very pretty,” said Cattie. 

"You have a pretty name too. I think next 
we will have Mr. Turpin calling you Cattie,” said 
Joan. Then Turpin blushed and Weber smiled 
and said: 

"I am sure Mr. Turpin means to with further 
acquaintance.” Turpin rose as if to leave and 
Joan said: 

"Mr. Turpin, tell father and Captain Granby 
to come down and take lodgings with Mrs. Du- 
pont. She is so nice I am sure they will be 
pleased.” 

"Yes, I will do that, and by the way. Captain 
Granby wishes an office too. He is going to 
organize a mining company,” said Turpin. 

"He has arranged to have a desk in here and 
office with me,” said Weber. Turpin, Loophold 
and Cattie then bade them good evening. And 
Joan said: 

"Mr. Weber, if you please, I wish Mr. 
Vilanderschleicher to call at my rooms at nine 
in the morning, and Mr. Stackhouse here at 
your office at ten.” 


106 One Heart That Never Ached. 


‘‘Very well, I will notify them of your wishes 
at once,’’ said Weber. Joan returned to her 
apartments. Weber turned to his book and re- 
corded his deal with Loophold, and began look- 
ing over his list merely to familiarize himself 
with the property and names of occupants. A 
tap at the door, and on invitation to come in. 
Aunt Susie Weatherall entered, and when seated 
she said: 

“I wish to see Miss Allgaits.” 

“I can give you the number of her rooms, but 
if your business is concerning the property, I 
am Miss Allgaits’ agent,” said Weber. 

“Yes, my business is about the property. My 
husband had a life-term lease from the Coast- 
myres, and now the paper is lost, my husband 
is dead and Hank Stormforth is gone, and he is 
the only one that ever saw the lease. I know 
how it is with lawyers, you have to prove every- 
thing to them. And I have no witnesses, so I 
want to see the woman. I think one of my 
own sex will believe an old lady like me. True, 
my little place is not much but it is the only home 
I have,” said Aunt Susie. 

“I have your lease contract here, if you are 
Mrs. Weatherall, and I will turn it over to you ; 
besides, if your little place needs any repairs I 
have instructions from Mr. Stackhouse to make 
it comfortable for you. So you need not be dis- 
turbed about your home,” said Weber. 

“Yes, that is my name, but where did you get 
the lease?” said Aunt Susie. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 107 


'Tt was turned over to me by Mr. Stackhouse 
with other papers/' said Weber. 

'‘Well, then if you are going to let me keep 
my little home and fix it up for me I shall let 
you keep the paper for me. My husband was 
always afraid of losing it, and I have no place 
to keep such papers," said Aunt Susie. 

"All right, Mrs. Weatherall; give yourself no 
more trouble about your home," said Weber. The 
old lady had just left when Captain Granby and 
Allgaits came in. Allgaits inquired for Joan 
and Weber sent him to her rooms. He knocked 
and she said: "Who is there?" 

"Allgaits," said he. The door opened and he 
stood looking in astonishment at the grandeur 
of the furnishings, and Joan said: 

"Come right in, father, I know this is too nice 
for me but I shall have plainer quarters after a 
while. Have a seat, and I will go at once for 
Mrs. Dupont and she will show you quarters she 
has for you and Captain Granby." She slipped 
on her little blue bonnet and veil and was gone. 
He sat there completely bewildered at the sur- 
roundings, and could scarcely realize that little, 
simple hearted Joan could be the mistress of such 
splendor. Joan returned and introduced Mrs. 
Dupont to her father, and Mrs. Dupont said : 

"I am so glad to meet you and have the privi- 
lege of showing such quarters as I have. I hope 
I may be able to suit you as well as your daugh- 
ter is suited." 

"Indeed, ma'am, we are very plain people, and 


108 One Heart That Never Ached. 


want nothing like this splendor,” said Allgaits. 

‘‘Oh, of course, I expected you to disclaim any 
pretentions to greatness, but how could you be 
anything but a great man with such a daughter. 
Does the old sea captain friend wish lodgings 
too?” said Mrs. Dupont. 

“Yes, if you will be kind enough to show us 
very plain rooms handy to Mr. Weber's office, 
we would be easily pleased,” said Allgaits. 

“Oh, to be sure, I have plain lodgings for 
plain people, but I could not think of offering 
you rooms on any other than this floor. It is so 
nice to have all genteel people grouped together ; 
the things they think and talk of are then suited 
to their company. But come with me just one 
door past Mr. Weber's office and I will show 
you what I have for you and your old friend,” 
said Mrs. Dupont, as she led the way out. When 
they came to the rooms Allgaits looked puzzled 
and said: 

“What is the price asked for these two rooms 
with another bed for Captain Granby.” 

“If I put in another bed like this one the price 
will be ten dollars a week for the two rooms,” 
said Mrs. Dupont. 

“I prefer plainer lodgings, and I am sure 
Captain Granby will be of the same mind,” said 
Allgaits. 

“Take these rooms for yourself and friend at 
my request, as a trial ; after you have been here 
a while if you wish we will change with you,” 
said Mrs. Dupont. Allgaits reluctantly con- 


One Heart That Never Ached. 109 


sented and soon the extra bed was placed and 
the captain called in to choose of the two rooms, 
which he did, being more pleased than Allgaits 
had expected. Then they arranged about meals 
and were ready for business. 


CHAPTER XL 


Tricks of Mine Promoters. 

When the captain returned to the office he 
found a message in reply to one sent to his 
friend in Colorado. The message simply said : 

‘T leave on next train for Chicago; will bring 
samples, Dave Link.’’ This stirred his anxiety 
about his mining stocks, and he began to formu- 
late plans to interest capital to operate Diaboles 
Gulch on a large scale. He said: 

^‘Allgaits, you must take stock and go out 
with me. I want to spend the next five years 
at the mines.” 

'‘Well, captain, if your mines turn out to be 
a rich strike I shall be glad to be associated 
with you if there is any thing I can do in such 
business,” said Allgaits. 

"But little can be done until Link gets here 
with the samples,” said the captain. For the 
next few days everything moved smoothly on. 
At the time appointed Miss Cattie came and she 
had scarcely taken her place when a rough rap 
was heard at the door. Joan opened the door 
and said: 

"Come in, Mr. Vilanderschleicher ; have a seat. 
I am glad you have come.” 

"I vas very much bleased to pe hear. I like 


One Heart That Never Ached. Ill 

mit you to talk apoud dat song” said Vilander- 
schleicher. 

''Well, I sent for you because I wish to make 
an engagement yith you,’’ said Joan. 

"Make your terms und it is occepted alreaty,” 
said Vilanderschleicher. 

"You know Miss Cattie Loophold,” said Joan. 

"Yes, I know her; she vas a fine latee, und 
she vas so hansome and she vas rich,” said 
Vilanderschleicher. 

"Well, you know I do not sing for money, 
and I wish to make an engagement for her to 
sing at your place,” said Joan. 

"Och, dot is not ze question ; she was pretty 
und clever mit her mouth to talk, but she can 
no sing a leetle pit. She vas like vone scared 
rappit ven on ter stage she come,” said Vilander- 
schleicher. 

"If you will let me arrange the stage and let 
her sit where the audience can see her and let 
me sit behind the scenes she may sing most 
excellently,” said Joan. 

"Och, pudt she no can sing, my leetle lajee. 
I vill you put on der stage at one tousand der 
first noight und five tousand der noight pefore 
der veek ends,” said Vilanderschleicher. 

"Yes, but you know I must not sit where the 
audience can see me, and I wish Miss Loophold 
to appear to do the singing. In fact I wish the 
engagement to be in her name and the money 
be paid to her,” said Joan. 

"Och, you silly little latee; don’t you know 


112 One Heart That Never Ached. 


dot reputation you vill make in vone week vill 
pe more vorth as dot grandt Coastmyre estate. 
You should sing mit me here in your own pretty 
name. Und den I shall to New York take you, 
und den to San Francisco. Und den to Parris, 
und London, und Liverpool, und Glassgo, und 
Berlin, und many great blaces. Und ven to 
Chicago you come back you can puy half of de 
citee,” said Vilanderschleicher. 

‘T do not wish to own half the city; nor do 
I wish to take such trips. I wish only to sing 
this one engagement for Miss Loophold's sake. 
She is beautiful and dresses finely and would 
appreciate the reputation and enjoy the money 
she might gain,” said Joan. 

“Mees Loopholdt is not smart mit moosic; 
she vill fell down mit dot reputation und diss 
vill me all break up,” said Vilanderschleicher. 

“Give us a ten-nights’ engagement on my plan 
and at the end of the engagement if you do 
not wish to continue the contract with Miss 
Loophold, no one will be injured or disap- 
pointed,” said Joan. 

“Och, mine little latee, eef ten nights in Chicago 
you sing at my blace all America vill mit dat 
moosic pe crazzy. Eef den I sing for dem mit 
Mees Loopholdt dey vill me mit spoiled eggs 
pound,” said Vilanderschleicher. 

Miss Cattie’s feelings can better be imagined 
than explained, hearing her musical gifts so 
cruelly belittled and Joan’s so highly extolled, 
and hearing Joan refuse such lavish oflfers while 


One Heart That Never Ached. 113 


she pleaded for only a ten-nights’ trial for one 
so much her superior. 

''Veil, veil, I see you laugh at mine pad English, 
putd I tink I make you understand,” said 
Vilanderschleicher. 

"Oh, I beg your pardon, but it was the way 
you speak of the bad eggs that amused me. But 
please, sir, give us a trial and perhaps you will 
change your mind,” said Joan. 

"Veil, den it will pe next Monday night. I 
vill make pig advertisement. Und shust eef I 
say some dings in der papers you no can under- 
stand, you no may dislike him. Veil den you 
pring ter latee to my blace to-morrow und ve 
make ter contract. Und you may show her how 
you may pe seated, und you may try your voice 
mit her on ter stage. Veil den, goot-py,” said 
Vilanderschleicher as he left the room. Cattie 
came bolting in and said: 

"I hate that conceited old Dutchman. I would 
not sing at his place to save his life.” 

"Oh, dear, I am so sorry you misunderstand 
him; he is really the best friend you have. At 
least he has the means of your fortune in his 
hands and with my assistance you may readily 
reach forth and take it to yourself. Please cheer 
up now for we must at once meet Mr. Stack- 
house and get the price of the house,” said Joan. 

"Why, surely you do not expect me to go any 
further in this scheme, after what I have heard,” 
said Cattie. 

"To be sure I do expect you to go right on 


114 One Heart That Never Ached. 

to success. Do your part and trust me for the 
little I am to do. Come now and meet Mr. 
Stackhouse and you will feel encouraged/' said 
Joan. They went to the office and Joan intro- 
duced Cattie to Mr. Stackhouse. Cattie was 
overwhelmed with the audacity of the under- 
taking, but finally, by a desperate effort she 
brought herself up to the task. As Joan retired, 
she heard Cattie say: 

‘'Mr. Stackhouse, what is the value of the 
residence occupied by my father?" 

“You mean the cash price for which the place 
ought to sell?" said Stackhouse. 

“Yes sir," said Cattie. 

“Twenty-five thousand dollars exclusive of the 
park," said Stackhouse. 

“You mean the house including the stables 
and garden," said Cattie. 

“Yes, ma'am, exclusive of the park; together 
with the park the place is worth fifty thousand 
dollars. May I ask why you make the inquiry?" 
said Stackhouse. 

“Why, Miss Allgaits will sell it to us if you 
think it best for her, and if I can secure the 
amount you may price it at," said Cattie. 

“Is this all Miss Allgaits wished to see me 
about?" said Stackhouse. 

“I think so, sir," said Weber. 

“Then tell her that for cash in hand the house 
would be well sold at the price named. Money 
is very close just now, and that sum could be 
made to yield three times the amount you get on 


One Heart That Never Ached. 115 

the property. Besides she has some non-produc- 
tive property which with that sum in good hands 
could be made to yield over five times the amount 
you get on the house/’ said Stackhouse as he 
turned to go. Cattie could not ask another ques- 
tion he seemed so unsympathetic. As he left 
Joan came in and said: 

'‘You are brave and clever. I know you feel 
you have begun your part well. To-morrow we 
will visit Mr. Vilanderschleicher and make a 
contract with him. And then you can go home 
and tell your father you are going to buy the 
house.” 

"It is so strange to me that you think we 
can do such an unheard of thing,” said Cattie. 

"After we begin practice you will take a dif- 
ferent view of the matter. Large things that are 
possible are easier done than small things that 
are impracticable. Many people fail in small 
things because they undertake them because they 
are small, and not because they are practicable. 
In this undertaking I am positively sure of suc- 
cess,” said Joan. 

"You always make me feel queer when I listen 
to your talk. Even now I am agreeing with 
you against my own convictions. Somehow I 
have a happy secret assurance that it will be so, 
and yet my own judgment tells me it is a silly 
delusion,” said Cattie. 

The next day Weber, Allgaits and Captain 
Granby were in the office. Several visitors had 
called, some on business with Weber and others 


116 One Heart That Never Ached. 

to inquire about the mines. Loophold came in 
to pay the earnest money on his year’s rent. 
After the receipt was placed in his pocket he 
said : 

‘‘Gentlemen, I have wasted the best part of 
my life over this unclaimed estate. And now 
as the right claimant is in possession I feel re- 
lieved. After taking the sober second thought, 
I am truly glad to be rid of it, especially as I 
know the rightful owner is capable of managing 
and enjoying the estate in simple happiness. 
What was to me a curse and blight will be to 
her a happiness of which I am incapable. I am 
thankful the riddance came before death relieved 
me of the burden of somebody else’s rights. I 
have had more genuine happiness since that estate 
passed out of my hands than for years.” Captain 
Granby hearing this honest heart expression 
hooked up his chair closer to Loophold and said : 

“Perhaps we can interest you in our mines.” 

“Not if it is a wild cat; I have just gotten 
clear of one of those lying swindles,” said Loop- 
hold. 

“We are representing the Diaboles Gulch, the 
righest strike since the panic of the old “forty- 
niners,” said Granby. Loophold colored, turned 
pale and said: 

“You did not buy that stock from Rainbridge 
did you?” 

“No sir, but we bought from Stackhouse,” said 
Granby. 

“I knew Stackhouse had some one to unload 


One Heart That Never Ached. 117 


on, or he never would have taken that stock even 
at a nominal figure. But I thought better of 
him than to suck in an innocent old salt like 
you. Why, sir, that is the wildest cat ever 
jumped in Colorado. That is the very thing that 
burnt my shirt off of me. That fellow is the 
sharpest, smoothest liar living. Oh, but if he 
didn't flatter and hoodwink this old dunce. Why, 
sir, he claimed warm personal friendship, spoke 
of my gifted and accomplished daughter. He 
claimed that I had once done him a great favor, 
through which he had made a man of himself. 
I racked my brain a week trying to think of 
some poor boy I had helped. That is their way, 
first soft-soap you and then work the slick trick. 

‘'Well, I finally answered his letter, my daugh- 
ter was so anxious to know when and where we 
had helped a poor wretch to make a man of 
himself. His next letter came post-haste, the 
best fixed up document I ever saw. I have it 
yet. I should like to show it to you some time. 
Well the short of it is, he had found a rich 
vein of free gold in the shaft he worked in. He 
was keeping it a secret from the manager until 
he could get his personal friend to buy up the 
stock and get other friends to share with him. 
All he asked was to be generously treated after 
I came in control of the mines. Well, if I didn't 
bite no sucker ever did. In twenty-four hours 
I owned the entire stock of the Diaboles Gulch. 
Then I wrote him my intention to visit the mine 
and make him manager, or give him an easy, 


118 One Heart That Never Ached. 


good-paying job, and sir, you ought to see his 
answer to that letter. 

‘‘Why, sir, it was the blarniest thing of all. 
He was sorry the rich vein had turned out to 
be a very small pocket. He had worked it all 
out at odd times; it only amounted to a few 
hundred dollars, and seeing we were beaten he 
turned it in to the manager just before I 
bought the stock. He said he did that to get 
back in favor so he might have another chance. 
But, said he, if you will keep quiet a few 
days I know of an old gray goose I can fix so 
you can unload. Then he begged my pardon, 
promising never to rashly lead me into 
anything else, and hoped our mutual friend- 
ship would last many years. I was caught again. 
Of course I was in no hurry to tell what a fool 
I had been, so I waited and watched for an 
inquiry for Diaboles Gulch stock, but none came 
until I worked it in on settlement with Stack- 
house through Rainbridge. Next morning I saw 
an inquiry for the stock, and I supposed it was 
from the old gray goose,’^ said Loophold. 

Captain Granby heard this long adverse story 
about the Diaboles Gulch without wincing. But 
when Loophold finished the captain said : 

“I guess I am the old gray goose. I put out 
an inquiry for the stock the evening before 
Rainbridge delivered it to Stackhouse. But I 
am more than satisfied with what I bit off. I 
think I will be able to chew it without help.” 

“I hope you will not blame me for the trap 


One Heart That Never Ached. 119 

you have fallen into. But, I confess, my con- 
science is not quite clear. In the first place I 
had some scruples about turning the stuff in on 
settlement with Stackhouse. But it was the last 
thing available and he snapped it up so readily 
I felt some ease of conscience. You are in no 
wise fit to grapple with these land sharks how- 
ever successful you may have been at sea. I 
advise you to turn that stuff over to some sharp 
fellow and let him work it off for you for 
whatever he can get out of it,'’ said Loophold. 

‘'Thank you for your kindness, but I shall stay 
by my investment," said the captain. Loophold 
bade them good day and they discussed the 
similarity of the letter that had led Loophold 
to invest to the one that led the captain to invest. 
But the captain's confidence in his Colorado 
friend was unshaken. While they were still 
discussing the matter Turpin walked in and shook 
hands with all around and then as usual straight 
to his business, he said: 

“Has a Mr. Link from Colorado called here 
to-day ?" 

“No sir," said Weber. 

“Is he in the city?" said the captain. 

“Yes, he is in the city; came in last night, 
but somehow I have lost trail of him," said 
Turpin. 

“We were just talking about him when you 
came in, or rather we were talking of his cor- 
respondence with Captain Granby and Loophold," 
said Weber. 


120 One Heart That Never Ached. 

‘‘He seems to be talked of just now in more 
places than one. He is sharp, I think,” said 
Turpin. 

“Captain, that does not sound good to a late 
investor in mining stock, does it,” said Weber. 

“How is that, has the captain invested in 
mining stock?” said Turpin. 

“I believe he has bought the whole thing,” 
said Weber. 

“Ah, that is why he inquired for your office; 
he expects to find the captain here,” said Turpin. 

“What are you on his trail for; is he wanted 
for selling a gold brick?” said Weber. 

“Oh no, nothing of that sort, but you know 
I agreed to find the stock for the captain, and 
Stackhouse said he could put his fingers on it, 
so I dropped out and was behind on the matter. 
I did not know whether the captain got it or 
not. But it is the fellows who sold stock to 
Loophold who are after Link,” said Turpin. 

“What is the nature of the charge,” said 
Weber. 

“Well, he practically had charge of the mines, 
and represented to the three holders that the 
mine was nothing but a salted proposition. In 
evidence of which he presented a piece of barren 
quartz that had been shot with free gold and 
explained the trick to them, stating that he had 
thoroughly examined both shafts and there was 
not a particle of ore about the place. He ad- 
vised them to sell at any price and invest in the 
Lonesome Knob over in the Black Range, prom- 


One Heart That Never Ached. 121 


ising to write a few letters in favor of Diaboles 
Gulch, which he did, and in twenty-four hours 
they had sold and invested in the Lonesome 
Knob. They now learn that the Lonesome Knob 
is a pure fake, and that he gave it out in private 
letters that he had found a rich vein of free 
gold in the north shaft of Diaboles Gulch. Now 
they are on his trail and I have a splendid job 
if I can run him in while he is in the city and 
not have to follow him back to the mountains,’’ 
said Turpin. 

‘'Captain, the deeper you go in the Devil’s 
Gulch the hotter it gets. What are you going 
to do about it?” said Weber. 

‘T am going to stay by my investment. I 
know Dave Link, if I do not know any other 
man. I may say I know him better than I do 
any other man except it may be Allgaits here. 
Allgaits knows Dave Link too, and I leave it to 
him if it is not an impossibility for Dave Link 
to go back on a friend,” said the captain. 

“Dave Link is pure gold to his friends, how- 
ever much he may have salted propositions and 
written private letters to others, and I am pretty 
sure Mr. Turpin’s opinion of him will be con- 
firmed before he runs him in ; sharp is not quite 
strong enough to express it,” said Allgaits. 

“Well, gentlemen, I do not wish to loaf around 
your office, but I will call in later and get in 
touch with Mr. Link. If so I think I can form 
a chain,” said Turpin as he pulled on his gloves 
and walked out. 


CHAPTER XII. 


Angel Voices. 

At the time appointed Miss Cattie and Joan 
called at the Vilanderschleicher Theatre. They 
found the manager in a gush of humor, bustling 
about, whistling bits of different tunes, humming 
short snatches of various songs as he directed 
arrangements. As they entered Vilandersch- 
leicher met them in his stormy fashion and said : 

''Vy, bless my soul, here vas ter latees on 
time. I tought it vould pe tirty minutes late 
you vas.” 

‘'Yes, we wish to make a noise and see what 
the acoustics of your hall is like,” said Joan. 

“Veil, dat is rightd; ve vish you to make a 
noise und see vat tern angechel voices vas like,” 
said Vilanderschleicher. 

“Well, we are ready. I wish to sit where 
I can see Miss Cattie and may not be seen 
myself,” said Joan. 

“Yes, dat ees eet, here in ter meetle of ter 
stage Mees Cattie vill seet, und just pehinte tat 
chuniper tree vill pee your seet, und I vill to ter 
gallery go und pe ter beobles. Und ven you 
sing I vill mine bans slap, und vissle, und stompb 
der floor, und scream und throw mine hat up 
to der ceiling und say do dat agin,” said Vilan- 
derschleicher. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 123 


Miss Cattie, trembling, took the seat; Joan 
slipped behind the juniper tree, and Vilan- 
derschleicher scooted up the gallery. A short 
pause and the song began. At first it 
seemed but one voice, rich, clear, melodious and 
strong, as the volume increased. Miss Cattie, 
looking her best, the blush of embarrassment 
adding greatly to her beauty. As the strain of 
music rose she lifted her beautiful eyes slowly 
toward the ceiling. The manager could scarcely 
restrain himself ; then he thonght he detected 
traces of a second voice, but they were so inter- 
woven they seemed but harmonies of one sweet 
voice. As the turn and the swell of the song 
came around he thought he heard harmonies 
from a third and still sweeter, stronger voice. 
Then he wondered if Joan had some secret in- 
strument that gave the superhuman tone to the 
music. When the song closed Vilanderschleicher 
slapped his hands, whistled, screamed, stamped, 
threw his hat and at the top of his voice shouted : 
'‘Do dat again.’’ 

While he was storming Cattie sprang from her 
seat and ran around behind the juniper tree and 
fell trembling in Joan’s arms. Joan slipped on 
her little blue bonnet and veil and wiped away 
the streaming tears from Cattie’s eyes. 

"Oh, if we had been before the audience it 
would have been a success, but we never can 
reach those heights again,” said Cattie. 

"Oh, dear, do be composed. We will improve 
at each rehearsal. I am truly glad the audience 


124 One Heart That Never Ached. 


is not to be here for some time. But, dear, you 
did surprisingly well. Your movements and ges- 
tures are perfection. And you are so beautiful, 
your fortune is made. If you like notoriety you 
may have a full measure of it the balance of 
your days,’’ said Joan. 

‘'Latees, I pelief der angechels vas mit you. 
Dat vas like ter moosic ter shepperds heardt from 
ter skies ven Kriss Krinkle vas bornedt in ter 
sheep pen,” said Vilanderschleicher. 

‘‘When shall we rehearse again,” said Joan. 

“Eef I know you can repeat dat song so fine 
again, you no may rehearse any more. I tink 
ven Mees Cattie vas scaretd she vas more pretty. 
I vill some more advertising give to ter bapers. 
I have not some oxtravigant tings sait yet. Veil, 
you may to-morrow come pack at dees hour und 
Mike Ousterhaney from ter Iriquas Teator I 
vill have to help me leesten to ter reharsal nextd 
time,” said Vilanderschleicher. 

The ladies returned to their homes, Joan more 
than satisfied with the effort but Cattie wavered 
between fear and hope. 

When Turpin left the office Weber said, “Cap- 
tain, I fear you have been swindled in that 
mining stock.” 

“Wait and see,” said the captain. Mrs. Dupont 
came in and said: 

“I have a roomer on the next floor who wishes 
to see Captain Granby and Mr. Allgaits. He 
says he would rather see them at his room, but 
he would not tell his business, and he is such 


One Heart That Never Ached. 125 


a rough looking fellow it might be he has some 
evil purpose. ’’ 

‘‘Tell him to come to the office. We will 
treat him nice/' said the captain. Mrs. Dupont 
had been sent to see who was in the office, when 
she returned with the message from the captain 
it was received with an expression of reassur- 
ance. Mr. Link stepped into the office, threw a 
great leather bag on the table and ran at the 
old captain like one greeting his grandfather. 
He then grabbed Allgaits, shaking both hands 
at once. When the outburst was over the old 
captain said: 

“Shake hands with Mr. Weber, Mr. Link; he 
is one of our honest friends." They shook hands 
and Link said : 

“I have been slow to call round, but you have 
had other callers and I had to take my turn 
you see. In fact I have to be careful of my 
health. The climate in this low altitude among 
the lakes threatens to be unhealthy for me. So 
if it is agreeable with you I will just put your 
mind forever at rest about Diaboles Gulch, scoot 
for the mountains and await your orders." As 
he said this he unrolled a rude map of the Gulch 
showing the location of the two shafts. Then 
opened the bag and said: 

“There is the stuff to make your eyes water." 
He threw out several shunks of quartz fairly 
sparkling with free gold. He then set out three 
round, four-ounce bottles with the assayer's seal 
and signature affixed. No. 1, North Shaft, Dia- 


126 One Heart That Never Ached. 

boles Gulch, $617.04 per ton. No. 2, South 
Shaft, D. G., $19.20 per ton. No. 3, third propo- 
sition, $75.00 per ton. 

''This is my report, and, captain, we need a 
cool million to put down the plant and start the 
output. The fourth generation will never reach 
the end of the vein.'’ 

"But we are informed that the vein turned out 
to be a small pocket," said the captain. 

"Oh, but you see, when I made the mistake 
and got Loophold to buy the stock and it came 
to sharing up, he offered me an easy job. So I 
played clam on him; shifted the information and 
told him if he would forgive me and keep quiet 
I knew of an old gray goose I would fix and let 
him unload. So I wrote you and he unloaded, 
and I guess he forgave me," said Link. 

"We have another report, that after thorough 
examination, you failed to find a particle of ore 
about the place," said the captain. 

"Yes ; well, you see, they insisted on keeping 
a drunken Slav over us as foreman. I had all 
the work to do, make out all the reports, look 
after the camp, feed the donkeys, all for less 
than half they paid him to lie around drunk. So 
when I made the strike I just decided to make 
it a grub-stake deal. Well they turned me down. 
Then I gave them some advice; they acted on 
it ; that's the whole history. Captain, don't keep 
me here to long. Mr. Turpin wants to see me 
on special business," said Link. 

"r suppose you are also desirous of seeing 
him," said the captain. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 127 


'‘Not if I can help it; but I am not afraid 
of meeting him, once I get out from among these 
high walls and crowded streets. But you see 
this climate doesn’t agree with me, and I want 
to move around and look at the country awhile,” 
said Link. 

"All right, Dave ; tell me where to find you 
when I get ready for you and you may go,” 
said the captain. 

"When you get ready for me write a letter 
like you are a rustic’s sweetheart; call me Tom 
Flanry ; write and spell to suit and tell me where 
to meet you and I will be there. Address your 
letter to Colorado Springs, Colo.,” said Link. 

"All right, Dave ; can I do anything else for 
you,” said the captain. 

"Yes, I need a stake a little the worst,” said 
Link. The captain drew out his check book, 
wrote a check and handed it to Allgaits and said : 

"Allgaits, will you please go down with him 
and cash this for him.” Allgaits took the check 
and seeing the figures said: 

"Captain, this is rather liberal is it not?” 

"Yes,” said the captain. Allgaits saw from 
his look he intended to stay by his decision. Link 
said : 

"Captain, I leave the bag and contents with 
you, so good-by.” And they left the office. 
Weber said : 

"Captain, how much did you give him?” 

"Five hundred dollars,” said the captain. 

"You sure sent the tail after the hide this 
time,” said Weber. 


128 One Heart That Never Ached. 


‘T know Dave/’ said the captain. Allgaits and 
Link passed over to the bank, cashed the check, 
and when about to separate Allgaits said: 

‘‘Dave, that fellow Turpin is right clever and 
you will have to be sharp if you get out of 
Chicago without being interviewed about Dia- 
boles Gulch.” 

“I am sure he is clever, but I managed to let 
him intercept a letter of mine so I shall get out 
of here all right,” said Link. 

Next day the ladies met the manager promptly 
on time for the rehearsal. He took them in by 
a side entrance and said: 

“Now, latees, you shall tak ter blaces just like 
you vas pefore, und I take Meester Ousterhany 
upb in ter gallery to help me leesten. Ouster- 
hany vas sharp mit moosic, und if you sing so 
fine as pefore he vill have a fit I tink.” Seeing 
them in their places he went into his office for 
Ousterhany. When the song started Vilander- 
Schleicher and Ousterhany entered and took seats 
far back in the gallery. Before the second stanza 
ended Ousterhany said: 

“However did you find out she had such a 
voice ?” 

“Leesten,” said Vilenderschleicher under his 
breath. The music rose in grandeur and volume. 
Ousterhany broke out again: 

“The angels taught her to sing.” 

“Leesten,” whispered Vilanderschleicher. The 
music rose with a double quaver, for an instant 
it seemed parts of two voices. As the swell of 


One Heart That Never Ached. 129 


music reached its highest pitch it seemed a part 
of a third voice sweeter and stronger mingled 
in the volume. As it subsided all blended into 
one sweet strain. Ousterhany said: 

‘'Unearthly, superhuman, angelic, I must 
hollo.^’ He raised his hat as if to throw it. 
Vilander Schleicher caught his arm and said, 

“Don’t scared her ; she vill rundt like a young 
doe. Her heart vas in her throat. She vill faint 
eef she stops quick.” When the song closed 
Cattie sought relief from the strain by running 
into Joan’s arms again. But before she had re- 
covered composure Vilanderschleicher had 
stepped behind the juniper tree with a paper in 
his hand and said: 

“Here ees ter contract, I vill pay you one 
tousand Monday night, two tousand Tuesday 
night, two tousand Wednesday night, und five 
tousand Tursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday and 
Tuesday night each.” Cattie turned pale, 
trembled and sat down, speechless. Footsteps 
were heard coming around the scene and Joan 
darted behind the next sheet. Ousterhany 
walked around and said: 

“Miss Loophold, I congratulate you as queen 
of prima donnas of Chicago. When your en- 
gagement is out with Mr. Vilanderschleicher I 
will give you your own price for an engagement 
at the Iroquois.” She managed only to bow and 
the choking was relieved by a flood of tears. She 
thanked him, took the precious paper in her 
hand and started in search of Joan. Ousterhany 
said: 


130 One Heart That Never Ached. 


“Who was the little Quaker girl I saw going 
behind the scenes?'’ 

“Oh, dat vas er — a, dat leetle Quaker, she vas 
sometime companion mit Mees Loophold. She 
vas so modest sometime I no see her," said 
Vilanderschleicher. 

“Bnt who was she?" said Ousterhany. 

“Who she vas, she leef down py ter reever. 
I no can speak quick her name," said Vilander- 
schleicher. 

“Was she the only person in here besides our- 
selves during the rehearsal?" said Ousterhany. 

“Oh she vas come ven der rehearsal vas ofer, 
so she may mit Miss Loophold go home," said 
Vilanderschleicher. 

“Was there any other person in here during the 
rehearsal?" said Ousterhany. 

“Vy sure no ; but vat makes you tink so," said 
Vilanderschleicher. 

“Well, I have feelings and impressions inex- 
pressible. Music never affected me so before. 
Besides, when the little girl vanished behind the 
scenes, I saw another personage of great beauty, 
go out of existence right before my eyes," said 
Ousterhany. 

“Oh, dis vas ter scenery, mit ter light eet makes 
shadows vere notting is," said Vilanderschleicher. 
The ladies passed out by the side entrance and 
Ousterhany went home nursing his apparition. 
Miss Cattie hurried home and sought her mother 
and said: 

“Oh, mother, I have bought the house back." 


One Heart That Never Ached. 131 

'‘Why, Cattie what ails you to talk so strange?'' 
said the mother. 

“Oh it is no more strange to you than to me, 
but it is real and true. I have bought our pretty 
home back and will pay for it in ten days," said 
Cattie. 

“Daughter, tell me what this means ; you excite 
me greatly to talk so," said the mother. Cattie 
presented her contract with the stage manager 
and said, 

“You know I did not want to tell you until 
it was a certainty. The other effort was so 
disappointing." 

“Cattie, this is just like a dream, or some fairy 
tale. It is simply unbelievable," said the mother. 

“Please do not tell father about it until I get 
the deed to the home," said Cattie. 

Joan stopped at Weber's office on her way 
home, and as no one was in the office she told 
Weber all about the arrangement for the singing. 
Weber said: 

“That is more than she would have done for 
you." 

“Perhaps so; but if we stop at what others 
would do for us the world would never get 
better. We should do unto others as we would 
have them do unto us ; then the world will grow 
better at all times," said Joan. 

“Do you really try to make every one happy," 
said Weber. 

“Indeed I do. I should be sorry if I knew 
of any one with whom I had been associated that 
was not made happier," said Joan. 


132 One Heart That Never Ached. 


‘Tf you were not mistress of so much prop- 
erty I should be tempted to ask you to make me 
happier/' said Weber. 

“You know I would do it if it took all the 
property I have/' said Joan. 

“All your property would not make me happy 
without you," said Weber. 

“Oh, Mr. Weber, you do not mean that; you 
are jesting with me," said Joan. 

“You ought to know I never joked you in 
my life. I have always had a very tender affec- 
tion for you, and until you came in possession 
of this vast estate I had hopes of some day 
being made happy by your accepting my proposal 
of marriage," said Weber. 

“Mr. Weber, I have always thought you loved 
me, but I thought my being deformed would 
make the sacrifice greater than any one could 
make," said Joan. 

“I came to Chicago in the full purpose to 
make this proposition to you at once if that 
estate business turned out a failure," said Weber. 

“When Mr. Stackhouse asked me to name 
some one to take charge of the property I named 
you because I believed you loved me, and I knew 
you to be honest. I thought if you were not 
capable Mr. Stackhouse would know it. And I 
was very glad Mr. Turpin insisted that you were 
the very man for the business," said Joan. 

“Did Turpin agree with you in selecting me 
for your agent?" said Weber. 

“Yes and I believe he suspected my reason 
for making the choice," said Joan. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 133 

“Do you think you could be happier with me 
as your husband than as your agent/’ said Weber. 

“No, for I am just as happy now as I could 
be. I have always been happy,” said Joan. 

“Do you mean you have never had sorrow, 
sadness or grief,” said Weber. 

“Yes, I mean that and more. If I ever made 
a mistake I do not know it. I have always done 
exactly what I thought right, and have never 
had regrets,” said Joan. 

“Dear girl, I believe every word you say, but 
from no other human being I ever saw would 
I believe such a statement,” said Weber. 

“Well, you know it is different with me than 
with others. Everybody loves me and treats me 
so good and nice I could not help loving them, 
and of course I wish to make them happy. No 
one ever mistreated me in all my life,” said 
Joan. 

“That is the most wonderful statement I ever 
heard,” said Weber. 

“But you never heard a truer one,” said Joan. 
Just at this time Captain Granby came waddling 
in with a grin all over his face, and said: 

“Hello, Miss; have you been instructing this 
young fellow in business?” 

“No, sir; we have been talking something 
more serious than business,” said Joan. Weber 
blushed and said, “Something more agreeable 
perhaps.” The captain guessed the situation and 
changed the subject by saying: 

“Little Miss, how much are you going to invest 
in the Diaboles Gulch?” 


134 One Heart That Never Ached. 


“Mr. Weber is my agent, and Mr. Stackhouse 
is his counsel,” said Joan. 

“You are well provided against wild-cat pro- 
moters,” said the captain. 

“Yes, I am,” said Joan. 

“Well, any way, give us your good will and 
I think we will be lucky,” said the captain. 

“Yes you always have my good will and you 
are most always lucky. I also wish to ask you 
a favor,” said Joan. 

“It is granted,” said the captain. 

“I wish you to attend the theatre Monday 
night,” said Joan. 

“The Iroquois,” said the captain. 

“No, Vilanderschleicher's,” said Joan. 

“Well, an old sea dog cares little for such 
amusements, but to please you I will go. By 
the way now, are you going to sing?” said the 
captain. 

“Miss Loophold has an engagement,” said Joan 
as she left the office. 

“Weber, that is the purest soul on earth I 
have no doubt she is the third wonuer ot the 
world born of woman. Jesus Christ, Joan of 
Arc, Joan Allgaits, and the last has more of the 
Divine nature than any since the first. I have 
known her from birth; she never makes a mis- 
take, and seems to grow wiser and happier as the 
years go by,” said the captain. 

“I have known her from childhood, and can 
truthfully say as much,” said Weber. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

A Great Mining Deal. 

Allgaits came in and the subject changed back 
to the mines, he said : 

“Captain, I have some fellows coming to look 
at your samples. They claim to have millions 
at their back, you may be able to unload on 
them.” The announcement was scarcely made 
when three elegantly dressed gentlemen walked 
into the office. Allgaits met them at the door 
and introduced them to Captain Granby and 
Weber, as Mr. Bronson, Mr. Jewel, and Mr. 
Coin. When seated, Mr. Bronson said: 

“Captain, we have come a long way to see 
the owner and the samples of Diaboles Gulch. 
Yes, we have some small holdings in Australia 
and Mexico and we saw an account of this rich 
American strike and became interested.” The 
captain, feeling complimented with a visit from 
these distinguished mine owners, brought out his 
specimens of ore, his map and samples from the 
assayer’s office. As Mr. Bronson picked up the 
largest chunk of quartz he said : 

“That is the finest specimen of American ore 
I ever saw.” Mr. Jewel looked them over and 
pronounced them exceedingly rich and promising. 
Mr. Coin, after carefully examining the ore and 
the assayer’s samples, said. 


136 One Heart That Never Ached. 


“This is the best paying dirt I ever examined, 
gentlemen; the mine this dirt came out of is 
without doubt the world's bonanza." The cap- 
tain was greatly flattered and more puzzled to 
know the object of the visitors, and said: 

“Would you gentlemen like to take stock and 
help develop the Diaboles Gulch ?" 

“We would prefer to buy outright the entire 
stock, or at least a controlling interest," said Mr. 
Bronson. 

“I had not thought of selling so much of the 
stock as that. I have a plan to issue three 
million dollars stock, and as soon as one million 
cash is paid in, to put down a plant of the 
heaviest modern machinery. And of course a 
road must be built out to the mines. From the 
best information we get here an estimate by a 
reliable engineer leaves us a good working capital 
after building the road and putting down the 
plant," said the captain. 

“Captain, we have sent an expert to examine 
the property. If his report confirms your present 
information we are prepared to pay you a fabu- 
lous price for the mine. And we are ready to 
put up a fine sum for an option on the property. 
We prefer you to make us a price, a certain per 
cent, of which we may put up pending the report 
of our expert, and should we not close with you 
the forfeit is yours," said Bronson. 

“Gentlemen, I am but a simple old tar, and 
such mammoth deals make my old head dizzy. 
I prefer you to submit your proposition in 


One Heart That Never Ached. 137 


writing, making your terms very plain, and give 
references that we may be assured of your 
ability to met the obligations you assume. Then 
give me time to consider your proposition, under- 
stand your terms and consult proper counsel. I 
can then decide the matter with satisfactory 
intelligence,’’ said the captain. 

‘‘Very well, captain, Monday morning here in 
your office we will submit the matter in such 
form and give you ample time to decide and 
answer,” said Bronson. The visitors then left 
and Allgaits said: 

‘‘Are they what they seem to be or not ?” 

“I can tell more about that when they give me 
their references,” said the captain. 

“If they really wish to purchase the mine they 
go about it different to most sharp men; they 
praised your stuff to the skies,” said Weber. 

“They are a well organized crew whatever their 
game is. That fellow who did the talking is 
not the sharpest man among them. The one who 
said the least does most of their thinking,” said 
the captain. Joe Turpin walked in and said : 

“How is the Diaboles Gulch stock this even- 
ing? I hope you haven’t sold to the foreign 
company.” 

“No, but who are they?” said the captain. 

“Who are they? Didn’t they tell you?” said 
Turpin. 

“Oh, they gave their names,” said the captain. 

“Well, Bronson means as much in mining as 
Rockefeller does in oil. Jay Gould in railroads, 


138 One Heart That Never Ached. 


or Morgan in water transportation. In fact he 
is getting up a ‘corner’ on gold dirt in the whole 
world. Bronson is a Swede by birth, a world 
citizen by education, and king of the gold mining 
industry in every nation,” said Turpin. 

“You think then they really wish to buy Dia- 
boles Gulch,” said the captain. 

“Why, did you ever see such men going around 
to show their good clothes? They will buy the 
mine if it is really rich, unless you put a pro- 
hibitive price on it. If it is not rich you could 
not give it to them ; they are simply skinning the 
cream off the mining world,” said Turpin. 

“I could not make a clean sale to them without 
hearing from Link, and I do not know where he 
is,” said the captain. 

“What has Link to do with it ; you own the 
mine,” said Turpin. 

“Yes, but I hold myself under obligation to 
him,” said the captain. 

“He would sell Diaboles Gulch and you with 
it if he could get you in a ‘nine hole,’ ” said 
Turpin. 

“Yes, but part of my business is to keep out 
of nine holes,” said the captain. 

“I have just followed that fellow a thousand 
miles the way he didn’t go; he is the sharpest 
man I ever trailed,” said Turpin. 

“I have known Link a long time and have 
seldom known him matched,” said the captain. 
When Turpin left the office the captain sat down 
to his desk and wrote the following message: 


One Heart That Never Ached. 139 


'‘Torn Flanery, Colorado Springs, Colo. Have 
fabulous offer for Gulch; wire sum satisfy you 
or come to Chicago. Granby.’’ 

He slipped this note into his pocket and started 
to the telegraph office. 

Sunday morning at Loophold’s every one 
seemed in a fine humor. At breakfast Loophold 
said : 

‘T should like to have you all go to church 
to-day. I have made up my mind to present 
myself for church membership.” Mrs. Loophold 
said : 

'T am glad to hear you say so. I hope before 
the year is out they will make you one of the 
vestrymen.” 

'T do not aspire to any thing of that kind, 
but shall serve in any station they see fit to put 
me. I have long desired to be a member of the 
church, but never felt prepared at heart to make 
the confession until I got my full consent to 
give up that estate. Since then I desire to make 
the confession, and I feel like I want to make it 
public,” said Loophold. 

‘'Well, father, this is a great surprise to us, 
but I hope at no distant day to surprise you 
even more,” said Cattie. 

“Dear daughter, no good deed you could do 
would surprise me; you have been doing good 
all your life,” said Loophold. 

“I have always been a sham. I have never 
done anything sincerely good in my life. After 
this what I do in charity shall be in all sincerity 


140 One Heart That Never Ached. 


for the good of the recipienfs and the glory of 
the Master/’ said Miss Cattie. 

“Daughter, you must not say that of yourself,” 
said Mrs. Loophold. 

“But, mother, it is so, and I am heartily 
ashamed of it,” said Cattie. The carriage came 
out, the family took seats and was whirled 
rapidly to the church. They entered ; everything 
was grand, the usher took them well to the front, 
and when seated they discovered in the adjoining 
pew Stackhouse and Turpin. Next they saw 
Weber and Joan come down the aisle unattended 
by an usher. Then Allgaits and Mrs. Dupont 
came down near the seat octtipied by the Loop- 
hold family. The old captain and three very 
distinguished looking strangers came almost to 
the front and took the seat next in front of 
Stackhouse. The entrance closed ; the music 
started, the plate came around for the morning 
offering; as it came in front of the captain and 
the three strangers, each of them cast in a crisp 
new bank note. This seemed to inspire regular 
attendants until when the plate returned it was 
heaped with bills and coins. Whether the unusual 
liberality or the extraordinary attendance on the 
occasion with the number of strangers, by one 
or all, the minister’s face sparkled with interest 
even before he rose at the desk. But when he 
came to the sermon he was on fire with interest. 
The sermon was short but brilliant, touching, full 
of pathos, logic and argument. The subject was 
“Restitution.” During the entire discourse 


One Heart That Never Ached. 141 

Loophold scarcely batted his eye, his breast 
heaved, and sometimes he leaned over in his 
seat, and once an involuntary groan escaped his 
mouth. The minister called the audience to 
prayer and when they rose Loophold said : 

‘‘Brother, I wish to speak a word.’’ The min- 
ister bowed to him, he stepped to the front, 
turned to the audience and said: 

“Brethren, sisters and friends, I believe in 
Jesus Christ with all my heart. I believe God, 
for Christ’s sake, has pardoned my sins.” The 
minister said, “Amen.” Several in the audience 
rushed up and shook hands with him. Stack- 
house gave him his hand and said: 

“God bless you, brother. I believe your con- 
fession is as pure as Peter’s.” This from such 
a dignified member fairly set the audience on 
fire. The minister said, “The congregation will 
please be seated.” When all were seated Loop- 
hold continued: 

“The sermon this morning was a direct mes- 
sage to me. I have not the means to restore 
everything, but in the name of Jesus Christ I 
ask forgiveness of those I have wronged. Here 
is Mr. Stackhouse whom I have wronged in put- 
ting worthless mining stock in on a settlement.” 
As he said this he reached his hand toward 
Stackhouse saying, “I ask your forgiveness.” 
Stackhouse took his hand and said, “I forgive 
you the intention of wrong, but the real wrong 
was to yourself ; the property was more valu- 
able than you knew.” Loophold, turning to 
Captain Granby, continued: 


142 One Heart That Never Ached. 


“Here is an honest old sailor, I have wronged 
out of his hard-earned wealth by allowing him 
to be deceived about the same worthless stuff.’’ 
Reaching his hand toward the captain he said, 
“I ask your forgiveness.” 

The captain took his hand and said : “I freely 
forgive you whatever your intentions may have 
been, but in this transaction you were the only 
sufferer.” He then turned to Joan and said : 

“Here is Miss Allgaits whom I have wronged 
by keeping her property for my own selfish use 
all these years. Dear little woman, I ask your 
forgiveness,” stepping back and offering his hand. 
Joan took his hand and said: 

“May God as freely forgive you as I do. I 
have no doubt your having the property in your 
hands has been a blessing to me.” He turned 
to his family and said : 

“Here are my wife and daughter ; they have 
been wronged more than others. I know they 
have forgiven me, even as I know God has for- 
given me.” Half the audience was in tears. 
“Pardon me, men and brethren, but I am here 
to testify, that the love of money is the root of 
all evil. My life until now has been one con- 
tinuation of evil. Blighted hopes, broken reso- 
lutions, lost opportunities, sad disappointments, 
sorrow and a smitten conscience are all I have 
for my life down to this present moment. I 
have one more confession to make. I fear I 
have been the cause, though unintentionally” — 

Here Turpin whispered to Stackhouse and 


One Heart That Never Ached. 143 

Stackhouse motioned to the minister, who rose 
and held up his hands for attention and said : 

‘‘The vestry will meet at once in the rear of 
the building. Brother Loophold will remain with 
us, and sometime in the near future he will 
address us again on this important subject.” 
Then he dismissed the congregation. Every one 
seemed deeply impressed with the sincerity of 
Loophold’s confession. Many could not refrain 
from making remarks. Mr. Bronson said to the 
captain : 

“That fellow impresses me as one possessing 
apostolic religion. If they had let him alone 
he would have told everything he ever did, don't 
you think.” 

“Really, he has never been a bad man; only 
weak in resisting the influence of wealth,” said 
the captain. Stackhouse and Turpin walked 
out and Stackhouse said: 

“An old-fashioned profession of old-time re- 
ligion. That fellow is saved. I should not won- 
der if he goes to preaching.” 

“He surely talked out in meeting this time. I 
hope his conscience is eased without further 
confession, or that the church session will have 
propriety enough to keep to themselves whatever 
else he may confess,” said Turpin. 

“Oh, I know what you refer to; that would 
not hurt him. It would perhaps do him good 
to make a clean breast while he is at it. Still, 
I am like you, perhaps it is best to save the girl 
the humiliation of a public statement of so 
serious a matter,” said Stackhouse. 


144 One Heart That Never Ached. 


After the formalities of church membership 
were gone through Loophold promised to address 
the audience on next Sunday at a special hour 
on the evil influence of unearned wealth. As 
Allgaits and Mrs. Dupont returned home Mrs. 
Dupont said: 

'T was so sorry for Miss Cattie; she has been 
very proud of their great wealth, and until re- 
cently knew nothing of how they came by the 
estate. Now with her mother it is different. 
She never cared for vain show and always said 
the property was not theirs. But I am so glad 
Mr. Loophold takes it as he does. He is a very 
pleasant man to do business with, though he has 
been hard on some.’’ 

'T think Miss Cattie manifests a very fine 
spirit also,” said Allgaits. 

'Tndeed, she is a very fine lady and meeting 
your daughter has improved her temper ever so 
much,” said Mrs. Dupont. Weber said to Joan, 
on their way home: 

‘That was a heart talk from Mr. Loophold.” 

“Oh, but was it not impressive, and he de- 
clared what I often tell father unearned wealth 
makes people unhappy,” said Joan. 

“Do you think he will be happy now without 
the property?” said Weber. 

“Yes, if he is honest and sincere, and I believe 
he is both,” said Joan. 

“Oh, surely every one who heard that talk 
knows he is sincere,” said Weber. 

“He must have been a man of great moral 


One Heart That Never Ached. 145 

strength to come through all these years of trials 
of great wealth and then get up before his neigh- 
bors and make that confession/’ said Joan. 

‘T guess that’s the reason you do not wish to 
hear and answer my question; you think un- 
earned wealth would make me mean,” said 
Weber. 

“Indeed that is not the reason. I do not think 
my wealth would hurt you, but for you to have 
a wife whom no one should look at would be 
awful,” said Joan. Captain Granby overtook 
them and said: 

“Will you have anything at Vilandersch- 
leicher’s more interesting than that, to-morrow ?” 

“Oh, captain, hasn’t he a fine personal appear- 
ance, and such a splendid voice; do you think 
he will be a preacher?” said Joan. 

“I should not be surprised ; he is a better 
speaker now than Mr. Moody. If he had prac- 
tice no telling what he might do,” said the cap- 
tain. Mr. Bronson, Jewel and Coin went to their 
hotel and Bronson said: 

“Do you think he referred to the Diaboles 
Gulch stock in his confession?” 

“Yes, I am sure he did, because the stock was 
signed over to Stackhouse by Loophold and by 
Stackhouse to Granby,” said Coin. 

“Then perhaps they have all been swindled,” 
said Jewel. 

“No, no; that mine is a sure-enough rich 
strike, but some sharp schemer has been working 
among them and perhaps has not played his trump 


146 One Heart That Never Ached. 

card yet/’ said Bronson. A messenger came in 
and handed Bronson an envelope. Bronson 
opened it at once and read as follows: 

‘'Goldfield, Colo. A. P. Bronson, Chicago, 111. 
Diaboles Gulch in quality and quantity is by far 
the best proposition I ever examined ; buy at any 
price. Excitement running high, close at once. 
Alex Gentree.” 

Bronson passed the message to Jewel who read 
and passed it to Coin, after reading he said: 

“That is the biggest blow I ever heard Gentree 
make, he must be excited.” 

“If there is a quantity of such quartz as the 
captain showed us it is enough to excite the 
best of us,” said Bronson. 

“My advice is to offer the old captain a cold 
million and close to-morrow morning,” said Coin. 
Bronson sat down to the desk to frame his writ- 
ten proposition to Granby. When Weber and 
Granby got to the office they found a message 
for the captain from Dave Link, but signed Tom 
Flanry, reading as follows: 

“Twenty-five hundred; cannot afford to visit 
Chicago just now. Yours & Co.” 

“Well he is pretty steep; wants twenty-five 
hundred more. I gave him five, that makes three 
thousand for his advice and good will. But if 
I sell I shall have to give it to him,” said the 
captain. 

“In pricing it to those fellows just put three 
thousand on top of your selling price and let 
them pay it,” said Weber. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 147 

‘T have about set my price, and I fear they 
will not stand the other three thousand,’' said 
the captain. 

‘Tut it on and try them,” said Weber. 

“Well, you see, it looks greedy to want to 
double your money in so short a time. But I 
have about decided to make them a price at 
twenty-five thousand and to put on three would 
make twenty-eight, that does not seem to round 4, 
out like twenty-five,” said the captain. 

“Just put it thirty and it rounds out all righ,” 
said Weber. 

“Does not that strike you a little too steep,” 
said the captain. 

“Yes, but it may strike those fellows as a soft 
snap,” said Weber. 

“I shall have my mind made up when they 
come, and perhaps their offer will be near enough 
to my price to close with them at once,” said the 
captain. 

Monday morning, at an early hour for busi- 
ness, the three foreign friends called at Weber’s 
office. Mr. Bronson like a straightforward, de- 
cisive business man, took out his written proposi- 
tion, placed it before the captain and said: 

“This proposition holds good for to-day only. 
We do not wish to hurry you but, in case you 
cannot decide to-day we reserve the right to 
withdraw the offer should we get unfavorable 
news from the expert.” The captain unfolded 
the paper and ran over the items carefully and 
without any appearance of excitement or sur- 
prise said: 


148 One Heart That Never Ached. 


'‘The Bank of England must be the best of 
references, but for present purposes it is rather 
distant from the field of action.’' 

"That is all right, captain ; when you decide to 
consider the offer we are prepared to place the 
hard cash before you in United States current 
money,” said Bronson. 

"I will consider your offer, gentlemen. At 
two o’clock this afternoon I will be prepared 
to give you a definite answer,” said the captain. 
They left the office satisfied the trade was made. 
Soon after they were gone Weber said : 

"Captain, there must be something wrong, 
about those fellows. How much do they offer ?” 

"Their offer is more suspicious than anything 
about them; it is simply out of sight, a cool 
million,” said the captain. 

"There is some trick in this as sure as you 
live,” said Weber. 

"If so they are the boldest trio I have met 
and put up the finest front possible,” said the 
captain. Stackhouse and Turpin came in and 
Stackhouse said: 

"Captain, have you heard anything lately from 
that fellow Link?” 

"Nothing direct; that is nothing personal,” said 
the captain. 

"Indirect methods are the more dangerous be- 
cause not personal,” said Turpin. 

"Yes, there are rumors afloat of some new 
daring trick he meditates, and we thought best 
to put you on your guard,” said Stackhouse. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 149 


‘'Thank you, gentlemen, for the interest you 
take in the matter. I very much need your ad- 
vice at this particular time,’’ said the captain. 

“My advice is that you realize on your mining 
stock as soon as possible, and be careful about 
investing for developing the mine. Some how 
these mining propositions are like a ‘Taylor jug’; 
they have no bottom in them. It seems to me 
they have purposely let you become sole owner 
of the stock intending to pump you full of con- 
fidence and expectation and then pump all the 
cash out of you,” said Stackhouse. 

“Captain, that fellow Link is incapable of real 
friendship. His one and only commendable trait 
is, he is sharp. If he had possessed steady habits 
he might now be a millionaire. But he is the 
most reckless gambler alive. When broke he 
would sell his hope of the future for a stake,” 
said Turpin. Captain Granby placed Bronson’s 
oflfer before Stackhouse and said: 

“Read me this enigma, and your wisdom is 
acknowledged,” said the captain. Stackhouse 
flashed his eyes over the paper and said: 

“This turns the light on from a different angle, 
and very much changes the appearance of the 
scene. What is your answer to this proposition ?” 

“What is your advice?” said the captain. 

“If you are not involved in Link’s representa- 
tions, scoop it in. You are clearing nine hundred 
and ninety thousand. Link has something up his 
sleeve for some one. Does he know you have 
this offer,” said Stackhouse. 


150 One Heart That Never Ached. 

“He does not know the figures from me/’ said 
the captain. 

“What do you think, Turpin ; Bronson has 
offered a cold million for Diaboles Gulch/’ said 
Stackhouse. 

“I think if the offer was to me, and I was not 
responsible for his information, he would get the 
Gulch and I would take the million,” said Turpin. 

“Well, gentlemen, I shall answer that offer 
at two o’clock this afternoon,” said the captain. 

Promptly at two o’clock Bronson, Jewel and 
Coin came in. The captain introduced them to 
Stackhouse and turned to Turpin, who said : 

“Yes, I know these gentlemen. I have done 
some little service for them.” Bronson, taking 
his hand, said: 

“I shall say some most valuable service, Mr. 
Turpin. By the way I never told you how we 
came out. Well, sir, it was a charming success. 
We secured the property through your service 
and for our purpose it was indispensable.” 

“I understand you have a deal on now for 
some fine property in America, the Diaboles 
Gulch for one,” said Turpin. 

“Superb ; that, sir, is the best thing in the 
market to-day. We do not make offers on any 
other kind of propositions,” said Bronson. 

“We are here now, Mr. Turpin, to get a final 
answer from Captain Granby. If he accepts our 
offer we have a job for you now. And, of course, 
the captain knows a good thing,” said Coin. 

“Yes, gentlemen, I consider your offer a fair 


One Heart That Never Ached. 151 

one at least, and have decided to accept it,’’ said 
the captain. 

'T have no hesitancy, captain, in saying the 
price we offer is fabulous, fabulous. But, sir, 
that is our plan. When we find what we want we 
go after it to get it, and I must say, so far we 
have succeeded. Yes, sir, we were so sure you 
knew a good thing we went to Severn & Cashman, 
bankers and brokers, and at some little expense 
prepared to met the obligation. So you may 
sign over the stock here before these gentlemen 
as witnesses, and we will go down and see you 
get your money.” The papers were produced 
and Stackhouse was asked to make the legal 
transfer. As soon as this was done Bronson 
took Turpin aside for a private chat. When 
they returned he said: 

'‘We will hasten down to the bank and finish 
up this business, and we shall leave this evening 
for the Pacific Slope, stopping off at the Diaboles 
Gulch.” All parties interested left the office to- 
gether and the purchasers of the mining stock 
soon started for the West. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


A Marvelous Performance. 

Vilanderschleicher had his place in prime 
shape; he had done heroic advertising. And an 
hour before time a great crowd had gathered and 
the place was filling rapidly. Reserved seats 
were all taken early, and the galleries finally 
packed to the limit. The house was orderly and 
smooth, being made up largely of the better class. 
Weber escorted Joan to the side entrance and 
left her in charge of Vilanderschleicher. A few 
minutes later Turpin accompanied Miss Cattie 
to the same entrance and was met by Mr. Ouster- 
hany, who was taking professional interest in the 
opening entertainment of this new prima donna. 
It happened that on the way around to the main 
entrance Turpin and Weber came together, en- 
tered and took seats in the same box. The 
uproar had begun for the performance to open; 
the noise would lull and then rise again like the 
bursts of a small cyclone. 

Miss Cattie took her place looking almost 
superhuman. Dressed to perfection, her face 
glowing with anxiety and embarrassment she 
was standing near the center of the stage. Joan 
took her place where she had full view of Cattie, 
by the use of a mirror, but where she herself 


One Heart That Never Ached. 153 

could not be seen, either by Cattie or the audi- 
ence. The curtain rose, the house was instantly 
as silent as death. The song started in a low, 
tremulous tone. As it rose it had the clearness 
of a silver bell and the melody of a harp of a 
thousand strings. The audience was entranced; 
the most cultured among them being affected 
most. As the swell rose it seemed there were 
traces of dual and occasionally of treble voices, 
but so symphonious that the music was only the 
richer. Vilanderschleicher and Ousterhany were 
no less surprised and enraptured than the audi- 
ence. 

At times it seemed that an outburst was immi- 
nent. As the last words of the song died away 
the curtain fell and the outburst followed. Pan- 
demonium broke out, — whistling, screaming, 
stamping, clapping hands, waving handkerchiefs, 
throwing up hats and howling like mad. Roar 
after roar deafened all ears. Before the drop of 
the curtain quite shut off the view Cattie bolted 
for Joan. As she darted around the juniper tree 
Joan turned towards her with her veil and little 
Quaker bonnet in her hand. Cattie caught one 
glimpse of Joan’s deformed face, and fell in a 
dead faint. Joan slipped on her veil and bonnet 
and bent over her as Vilanderschleicher came 
lumbering around with Ousterhany immediately 
on his heels. 

The excited German snatched up the lifeless 
girl in his arms and said : 

‘‘Meester Ousterhany, coom pack und mit der 


154 One Heart That Never Ached. 


beebles talk till dees latee I to der chamber take.” 
Ousterhany returned to the stage and as the cur- 
tain slowly rose, he stood with hand lifted for 
attention. Slowly the noise subsided and Ouster- 
hany said: 

‘‘Ladies and gentlemen : Mr. Vilandersch- 
leicher bids me to thank you for your vigorous 
expression of appreciation of the wonderful per- 
formance, and to state to you that it would be 
nothing less than murder to require the young 
lady to return. She is suffering from a slight 
attack of tonsilitis. And this being her first per- 
formance before the public, the vehement 
applause has greatly shocked her. So you will 
please excuse her for this time and to-morrow 
night you shall be better entertained than to- 
night, though I must say this has been the most 
wonderful performance I ever witnessed.” 

Vilanderschleicher came bustling in, raised his 
hand and without any knowledge of what Ouster- 
hany’s speech had been, said: 

“Latees und Shentlemens : Dis vas ter Amer- 
ican star ; ter brightest in all ter skies of ter 
nations. You haf dis night greatly honored peen. 
Dis vas ter moosic for kings und queens und all 
ter royal ears of earth. You vill more honored 
pee to-morrow night ven you pack here come.” 
The curtain dropped again and the audience 
began to move towards the exits. As they went 
comments, eulogies and criticisms were freely 
indulged in by all classes. But by far the greater 
number extravagantly sounded her praise. As 


One Heart That Never Ached. 155 

Turpin and Weber made their way around to 
the side entrance Turpin said: 

''Did you ever hear such a voice? I would 
have given a thousand dollars if she had failed.’’ 

"Why, man, what do you mean?” said Weber. 

"Well, you see this is her third attempt. The 
other two were signal failures. Had she failed 
this time she would have given up the desire,” 
said Turpin. 

"Why should she give it up if she possesses 
the elements of success?” said Weber. 

"Oh, I guess it is all right, but do you know 
I believe Miss Allgaits has something to do with 
this success,” said Turpin. 

"No doubt she has advised and perhaps made 
suggestions,” said Weber. 

"I feel sure she has done more. Really I be- 
lieve her voice gave the melody to that song,” 
said Turpin. At the curb they found the car- 
riages waiting. Just inside Joan and Cattie stood 
close together engaged in earnest conversation. 
When they stepped out and Turpin took Cattie’s 
hand to help her in, he discovered she was 
trembling and weeping. As the carriage started 
he said: 

"That was a grand success. Miss Loophold.” 

"Oh, I wish I never had agreed to sing,” said 
Cattie. 

"Why such a wish after such a success,” said 
Turpin. 

"Mr. Turpin, I do not feel right about it, and 
I fear I cannot tell you why,” said Cattie. 


156 One Heart That Never Ached. 


‘'Miss Loophold, you can tell me anything, 
fully assured that whatever interests you will 
greatly interest me. I am not sorry you have 
fallen out with stage performance; for I think 
you are too good and true a woman to give 
your life to such a calling,’’ said Turpin. 

“If I only could tell you all, I think I should 
feel relieved.” said Cattie. 

“Nothing on earth would give me so much joy 
as to know you could confide in me of things 
concerning your welfare and happiness,” said 
Turpin. 

“Do you know Miss Allgaits is the finest 
singer in the world, and that she was behind 
the first leaf of the scenery,” said Cattie. 

“I know she has the sweetest voice I ever 
heard, and she is the happiest person I ever met, 
and I knew she was somewhere in the building,” 
said Turpin. 

“Then you recognized her voice,” said Cattie. 

“Really, did she sing with you?” said Turpin. 

“Yes, and did you think there were more than 
two voices,” said Cattie. 

“Why do you ask; did others sing?” said 
Turpin. 

“Oh, Mr. Turpin, I do not know if I ought 
to tell you ; will you not mention it if I do, and 
will you tell me what you think of it if I tell 
you all?” said Cattie. 

“Certainly, if it is anything you do not wish 
repeated I should not do so, and if what I might 
think about it would be of any value to you I 


One Heart That Never Ached. 157 

should only be too glad to express myself 
frankly/' said Turpin. 

''When I came around the sheet of scenery 
she was behind, I saw the prettiest woman I 
ever laid eyes on and she held Joan in her arms, 
as if she was but an infant. She did not leave 
the room nor go behind the scenery; she simply 
vanished right before my eyes. Now, Mr. Tur- 
pin, is there any explanation of such a vision as 
that? And when I asked Joan who she was, 
she only laughed and said I need not know. I 
want you to be serious with me, for I am 
greatly disturbed," said Cattie. 

"Did Miss Allgaits acknowledge there was an- 
other woman there?" said Turpin. 

"She did not need to acknowledge it. I saw 
her with my own eyes," said Cattie. 

"Miss Loophold, you were very much excited, 
your nerves were strained to the highest possible 
pitch, and," Said Turpin. 

"But I did not see her with my nerves. I 
plainly saw her with my eyes," said Cattie. 

"But, Miss Loophold, you know apparitions 
appear to people when their minds are disturbed. 
The vision is not real ; there is nothing there ; 
it only appears so to their disturbed imagination," 
said Turpin. 

"Mr. Turpin, I can more easily believe in your 
candor than your judgment. What I see with 
my eyes no reasoning or sophistry can explain 
away. Have you ever heard that there are mys- 
teries about Miss Allgaits' singing?" said Cattie. 


158 One Heart That Never Ached. 


‘‘Yes, down on the coast among the sailors 
they have such stories as they do of everything 
they think of or talk about. But I know too 
much of their superstitions to trouble my mind 
the least about their stories,” said Turpin. 

“Do you remember some of the stories they 
told about her singing?” said Cattie. 

“Oh, yes ; but what does that signify. They 
do not know about her face. You see, her face 
is so awfully marred, that when she sings it is 
hideous. So she must be in a dark room or in 
some way be out of sight so she can take off 
that veil. And when she sings the voice is so 
out of proportion to her size and appearance 
they hatch up in their superstitious minds that a 
banshee comes and sings with her,” said Turpin. 

“Mr. Turpin, do they claim to have seen any 
one with her?” said Cattie. 

“Oh, I think so; but you know sailors are 
always finding hornet’s nests,” said Turpin. 

“How do they describe the visitor?” said 
Cattie. 

“Well, they just say she is a most beautiful 
woman, or, she looks like an angel, or something 
like that,” said Turpin. 

“I should like to have their description of 
her. The woman I saw was the most beautiful, 
and had the brightest face of any being I ever 
looked at,” said Cattie. 

“Miss Loophold, I fear you have been over- 
wrought in this great performance. I have been 
waiting until the effects of this suit about the 





One Heart That Never Ached. 159 


property should pass over, to make known to you 
the chief desire of my heart. With your per- 
mission I will do so now. If you can love me 
as I do you, and can confide in me to advance 
your welfare and happiness as a worthy, true 
husband, I ask you to be my wife,’’ said Turpin. 

‘‘Mr. Turpin, the time has been when such a 
statement from you would have given me great 
pleasure. But now that we are poor, and that 
father has professed religion, a great change 
has come over his life. And even if he had 
means he would not again engage in speculation, 
so we will always be poor. And in order to 
buy back our home I suffered this engagement 
to be made in my name. When you know I 
am not doing the singing but getting credit for 
the great gift of unfortunate little Miss Allgaits, 
you must regard me as a pretender, which I have 
always been. However, if I can drag through 
this engagement, which, God being my helper, 
shall be the last, without disgracing myself, and 
you then wish to renew your proposal, I shall 
hold myself ready to consider it and give you 
my decision,” said Cattie. 

‘‘Thank you. It will be a great pleasure to 
me if I may see you to and from the hall until 
this engagement is over. And at its close, as 
early as you may see fit to give it, to have an 
answer,” said Turpin. He opened the gate and 
bade her good-night. Returning 'to his own 
lodgings in a fine humor with himself and all 
the world, for he felt sure of an affirmative 


160 One Heart That Never Ached. 


answer. As Weber and Joan returned home she 
said: 

''The people acted crazy ; do they always make 
such an uproar as that?'’ 

"Not always, but under such overpowering 
music they do," said Weber. 

"Of course, they think Miss Cattie has a 
wonderful gift, and I am glad they do, for when 
this engagement is out I shall never go before 
another audience for love or money," said Joan. 

"I am glad to hear you say that," said Weber. 

"Do you think it is wrong to sing for money ?" 
said Joan. 

"No, it is not wrong, I can say, but I just 
feel that I would rather you would not do it. 
Of course you have the gift and ought to use 
it as you can best enjoy it, and that others may 
enjoy it too. But these great rabble crowds are 
so coarse and vulgar, I dislike to think of them 
in connection with you," said Weber. 

"You know I like to sing, but I cannot sing 
in the churches," said Joan. 

"Why can you not sing in the church," said 
Weber. 

"Because they have to sit where the people 
can see them when they sing in church?" said 
Joan. 

"Oh, if you would like to sing in church that 
can all be arranged," said Weber. 

"I should certainly like to sing in church; 
surely they do not allow applause in churches," 
said Joan. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 161 


''No, certainly not.’’ 

"But, Miss Allgaits, I wish to talk to you about 
another matter. I wish to know if you love me 
well enough to consent to be my wife,” said 
Weber. 

"I love you very dearly, and have for a long 
time, but I cannot consent to marry you. I 
wish to have you always where I can see you 
and talk with you. And I want you always to 
have charge of my business. In fact I want it 
to be our business, but I cannot marry you,” 
said Joan. 

"If you loved me as I do you, you could not 
say that,” said Weber. 

"I think I love you much more dearly than 
you can possibly love me, and I know I love you 
more than I love myself, but you know I cannot 
marry you,” persisted Joan. 

"Will you tell me the reason?” said Weber. 

"I have told you. I do not wish you to have 
a wife that must not be seen,” said Joan. 

"Is that the only reason; but for that would 
you be happier if we should be married?” said 
Weber. 

"That is the only reason ; but I should not 
be happier, for I have always been just as happy 
as any one could be,” said Joan. 

"Do you mean that no shadows ever came over 
your life?” said Weber. 

"Yes. I mean that from my first recollection 
till now, every one I have met has been so good 
to me, and so kind, that my life has been one 


162 One Heart That Never Ached. 


uninterrupted beam of sunshine and joy. Every 
one seems to love me, and I know I love every 
one I have met. And I know God loves me, 
and I love Him. Whatever comes from Him 
is for my good, and I cannot help being happy. 
It seems to me every one ought to be happy,'' 
said Joan. 

“You say you love me very much; suppose I 
was not happy and you had the power to make 
me happy, would you do it?" said Weber. 

“Yes, I would; but I would not do the things 
that would make you less happy because you 
thought it would make you happy," said Joan. 

“But, who should be the best judge in this case, 
you or me?" said Weber. 

“Who should prescribe, the physician or the 
patient?" said Joan. 

“Oh, but are you not too positive in this mat- 
ter?" said Weber. 

“I think not. I have never made any one 
unhappy in my life, and surely I have added to 
the comfort and happiness of many. Then if 
a physician has never lost a case, should he yield 
to the first contentious patient he has and risk 
his reputation on a sick man's judgment," said 
Joan. 

“I wish you to be real serious about this 
matter and give me at least some hope that you 
will decide in favor of my request," said Weber. 

“I have never been more serious than now, 
and I may say you know what confidence I have 
in you, when I feel perfectly safe with my busi- 


One Heart That Never Ached. 163 


ness all in your hands. Besides you are the 
only man I ever thought of marrying. But there 
are so many things to think about in matters 
of this kind that if the one great barrier could 
be passed over, so that we contemplated mar- 
riage, it would take us a long time to come to 
a full understanding,’' said Joan. 

“For my part what you call the great barrier 
is already passed over and my mind is made up 
on all other questions,” said Weber. 

“Some day we will talk about it again, for I 
like to hear you talk, and you listen so well 
I like to talk to you,” said Joan. Here the)” 
came to her rooms and he said: 

“Shall I have the pleasure of seeing you to 
the hall again to-morrow evening?” 

“Yes, thank you; you are very kind,” said 
Joan. He bade her good-night, and to himself 
he thought : She is a queer girl ; no one knows 
what her decision will be; she is not influenced 
as others are. Perhaps her decision will be 
right, for I believe her when she says she never 
made a mistake. 

The crowd at Vilanderschleicher’s increased 
every evening until the hall and galleries were 
overrun, and thousands left without getting seats 
or even standing room. The papers were full 
of extravagant praise of the performances. 
Among the lower classes it was whispered around 
that a supernatural being aided in the song. On 
the ninth evening, when Cattie had responded 
to the encore a third time, her voice had lost 


164 One Heart That Never Ached. 

its tone and trill and finally broke completely 
down in the middle of a stanza. As the curtain 
fell she ran for her comforter behind the juniper 
tree. And she ran right into Ousterhany’s arms. 
He had suddenly come upon Joan between the 
last two efiforts. Joan had slipped on her little 
bonnet and veil, and was apparently much more 
at ease than Ousterhany. The house was in a 
hubbub, and Vilanderschleicher was roaring out 
the praise of the next and last performance of 
the engagement. Ousterhany said: 

‘‘Pardon me, ladies, but was I mistaken, or 
was there a third party engaged in the per- 
formance 

“If it is your business to know you should 
go to the manager,’’ said Joan. 

“Oh, certainly, but I just happened to pass 
through and I thought I saw a most beautiful 
lady as she disappeared around the wing,” said 
Ousterhany. Cattie, wringing her hands, weep- 
ing and trembling like an aspen leaf, dropped to 
the floor speechless. Joan called at the side 
entrance and Turpin and Weber came in, picked 
up the helpless girl, carried her into the open air, 
and placed her in the carriage. Turpin took his 
place and they started for the Loophold home. 
Weber and Joan took their carriage and Weber 
said : 

“What caused the breakdown, was she ill?” 

“No, she got on finely until Ousterhany came 
where I was and I had to stop singing and she 
gave out,” said Joan. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 165 


'‘What business had he back there?’’ said 
Weber. 

"Oh, he got suspicious that a trick was being 
played,” said Joan. 

"Did he tell you so?” said Weber. 

"There was no need for him to tell me ; what 
other reason could he have,” said Joan. 

"Does he know you took part in the perform- 
ance?” said Weber. 

"He assumes to know; he asked if a third 
party took part, as if he knew that a second 
party did,” said Joan. 

"What did he mean by a third party?” said 
Weber. 

"Why he claims to have seen some one else 
passing behind the wing,” said Joan. 

"Do you believe it?” said Weber. 

"Yes, I believe he thinks he saw a third 
party,” said Joan. 

"What grounds has he for thinking so?” said 
Weber. 

"I am real glad he made the discovery,” said 
Joan. 

"Why are you glad; did you want him to 
know you sang?” said Weber. 

"No, no; but now he will not ask Miss Cattie 
to sing at the Iroquois,” said Joan. 

"But he may ask you?” said Weber. 

"But I do not sing for the public for money. 
I only sang for Cattie,” said Joan. 

"Do you think Cattie will give up singing 
when this engagement is out?” said Weber. 


166 One Heart That Never Ached. 

‘'Oh, sure; she will never go on the stage 
without me, and I never intend going again,'’ 
said Joan. 

“If she quits the stage I think Turpin will 
take care of her, if she will let him, don't you?" 
said Weber. 

“He seems fond of her, but I think she is 
more fond of him," said Joan. 

“I shall come for you to-morrow evening," 
said Weber, as they came to her door. 

“Thank you. I am glad it ends with the next 
performance," said Joan. He bade her good- 
night and went off thinking to himself, she is 
queer, wonderful and unique. 

When Cattie regained control of herself Tur- 
pin said: 

“Miss Loophold, I am very glad your engage- 
ment ends so soon; it is overreaching your 
strength." 

“Oh, Mr. Turpin, I do not believe I can go 
back on that stage at all. I never was so dis- 
turbed in all my life. To be left in such a 
manner and break down like that before all 
those people. And while all unstrung, in the 
mortification and humiliation, to know that 
strange being was in the house again; it was 
awful. I never can return," said Cattie. 

“How did you come to be left to yourself in 
the last rendering?" said Turpin. 

“I do not know why it was done, but I know 
it was done on purpose to humiliate me. When 
I came around to J oan, Ousterhany was standing 


One Heart That Never Ached. 167 

there. She had on her veil, and I heard him 
tell her he saw a most beautiful woman pass 
behind the wing of the scenery. Then I could 
hear nothing more; my heart just quit beating 
and I stopped thinking. I wish I did know what 
Joan said to him. She knows who it was, and 
she knows that I saw her the first night of 
the performance,” said Cattie. 

‘'Oh, that vision of yours is no more than the 
result of excitement and an overwrought imag- 
ination. You must not let that weigh on your 
mind the least bit,” said Turpin. 

“Mr. Turpin, please don't talk that way to 
me now; it is the same thing as making fun of 
me. How did my excitement picture the same 
woman in Ousterhany's imagination?” said 
Cattie. 

“I think Ousterhany has some design against 
Vilanderschleicher. You see this has been the 
greatest hit Chicago has ever had, and he is 
jealous of a successful competitor. Hasn't he 
offered you an engagement to sing at his place ?” 
said Turpin. 

“Yes, but I would see him and all the vulgar 
hordes of Chicago in perdition before I would 
go on his stage. I hate him with all his self- 
important impudence, peeking around into other 
people's affairs. And I despise Vilandersch- 
leicher, that great brute of a Dutchman, with his 
attempted blandishments. He is the cause of 
Ousterhany's spying around. Oh, I cannot go 
back. I shall have to forfeit all the gains there 
was to it after all this suffering,” said Cattie. 


168 One Heart That Never Ached. 

“Miss Loophold, you must not do yourself so 
much injustice. I should be glad if you never 
had gone on the stage, but as you have and mat- 
ters have come to what they are, you owe it to 
yourself to finish your engagement. Then you 
can refuse to go back on the stage and retain 
the advantage of the success of your last effort,” 
said Turpin. 

“Mr. Turpin, if it were not for the money 
to buy back our home I would never show my 
head at Vilanderschleicher’s again. If I get over 
this nervous shock I may try to go through the 
one remaining performance, a torture though it 
be. But if I see that strange being again I shall 
never come out of there alive,” said Cattie. 

**Oh, you will be all right, only you must not 
be thinking about that strange apparition. You 
have made a great reputation, and can afford to 
quit of your own accord,” said Turpin. 

“I do not care now a cent for the reputation, 
as I never intend to go before the public again. 
The reputation does not belong to me anyway; 
it is based on the gifts of another. And some- 
times I think that supernatural being possesses 
all the attraction there is in the performance,” 
said Cattie. 

“If you will permit me I will see you over 
to Vilanderschleicher’s to-morrow evening,” said 
Turpin. 

“Yes, if I may be so much trouble to you,” said 
Cattie. 

“No trouble, but a great pleasure,” said Turpin 


One Heart That Never Ached. 169 


as he opened the gate and bade her good-night. 

When the crowd left the theatre Ousterhany 
went to Vilanderschleicher and said: 

‘T demand to know who that woman is that 
sings behind the scenes?” 

‘'Oh, veil, dat vas Mees Joan Allgaits, she 
yust helps a leetle. But poor girl she vas de- 
formed und she no can pee seen,” said Vilan- 
derschleicher. 

“Yes, I know the little girl with the Quaker 
bonnet, but who is that beautiful woman that 
does the singing?” said Ousterhany. 

“Oh, you mean dat pretty vooman on ter 
stage ; vy sure dat vas Mees Cattie Loophold,” 
said Vilanderschleicher. 

“No, sir; you know I do not mean either of 
those ladies. I mean the one that remains out 
of sight, the one who really does the singing. 
If you do not tell me who she is I shall expose 
the whole trick and put you before the public 
as a fraud,” said Ousterhany. 

“You vas ter fraud; you vas crazy; you vas 
loony, you haf peen dreaming; dat fine moosic 
haf turned your head muddled. Dere vas no 
vooman here dat pee not seen exzept Mees Joan. 
If you tell dere bublic apout her den you vas 
no shentleman,” said Vilanderschleicher. 

“Are you not aware, sir, that a most beautiful 
woman sings behind the scenes at every per- 
formance, and takes that little dwarf in her arms 
every time a song closes ?” said Ousterhany. 

“I pelieve you haf peen talking to Captain 


170 One Heart That Never Ached. 


Granby apoudt ter banshee und ter bansheeing. 
You vas as superstitious as tern sailors/’ said 
Vilanderschleicher, 

'‘Mr. Vilanderschleicher, there is no denying 
you have practiced a fraud on the public and 
the price of safety from exposure is that you tell 
me who that lady is, and secure me an interview 
with her,” said Ousterhany. 

"Vill you coom to-morrow evening und see for 
yourself, und den tell me who she vas, und for 
yourself get mit her an interview?” said Vilan- 
derschleicher. 

"Will you permit me to go unrestrained behind 
the scenes before the performance begins and 
to remain until it closes?” said Ousterhany. 

"Sure, eef you no may deesturb Mees Joan,” 
said Vilanderschleicher. 

"All right, I will be there and see for myself ; 
good-night, sir,” said Ousterhany. Just before 
time to start to the theatre Joan came into 
Weber’s office and said: 

"Mr. Weber, I want a deed made out and 
signed of the Loophold home, to Miss Cattie 
Loophold for a consideration of twenty-five thou- 
sand dollars. I want it ready to deliver to her 
at the close of the performance to-night; can 
you get it ready?” 

"Yes. Mr. Stackhouse has it prepared ; he 
understood from Vilanderschleicher that the 
money would be paid her this evening. Here 
it is ready for your signature,” said Weber. 
Joan signed the paper and it was left in the 


One Heart That Never Ached. 171 

office to be delivered to Cattie at the close of 
the performance. Before the audience began to 
gather Ousterhany passed through every nook 
and corner of the scenery, examined every locker, 
dressing room and all the halls and recesses. 
All to no purpose, as he found no one or any 
trace of any one in hiding. When he was fully 
convinced no one was in there he placed trusty 
watchers at every entrance and took a place 
himself where he could see down the passage 
from each entrance. The audience began to 
gather and became noisy earlier than usual. 
Turpin and Cattie came in. Turpin on account 
of her nervousness passed on down to the stage 
with her. On his way back he ran on to Ouster- 
hany, who said: 

‘‘Stop in here with me, Turpin ; they have me 
on guard to-night. Something has been disturb- 
ing the ladies and we have decided to protect 
them.’’ 

‘'Perhaps the manager may object. I have 
heard Miss Allgaits declines to sing if watched,” 
said Turpin. 

‘T stand for the manager; he put me here for 
a purpose,” said Ousterhany. Turpin consented 
and they saw Weber come in with Joan, passing 
around to her place behind the juniper tree. 
Weber started out and Turpin, intercepting him, 
said, 

“Mr. Ousterhany requests us to remain in here 
during the performance.” 

“I do not wish to be an intruder; besides I 


172 One Heart That Never Ached. 


think it would very much disturb Miss Allgaits/' 
said Weber. 

‘‘Oh, we are not to be where she can see us. 
He says Vilanderschleicher put him here to pre- 
vent them from being disturbed. It is all right 
for you to stay if you will,’' said Turpin. Weber 
consented to remain, if they would be sure not 
to disturb Miss Allgaits. 

The clamor increased ; the curtain rose and the 
song started. At first weak, low and tremulous. 
Joan joined in ; the volume increased ; the melody 
increased a hundred per cent. Then a second 
increase, the music rose to full height with ten 
thousand angelic harmonies. As the music in- 
creased in volume, sweetness and power, Ouster- 
hany rose with his arm stretched out full length, 
his index finger pointing to the rear corner of 
the platform, and said: 

“Gentlemen, that overwhelming music comes 
from over there.” 

“It is the accoustics of the building,” said 
Turpin. 

“Accoustics nothing ; my ears haven’t been 
trained these twenty years for nothing. I am 
going to investigate where that sound comes 
from,” said Ousterhany. And he started in the 
direction he was pointing. He crept on tip-toe 
silently through passages among the sheets of 
scenery. The song was nearing the end when 
he returned looking pale, whispering, “invisible.” 
The song weakened to the same faint strain it 
started on; the curtain dropped and the crowd 


One Heart That Never Ached. 173 


howled like demoniacs. The curtain rose and 
Vilanderschleicher said, 

‘‘Shentlemen und latees, tee young latee vas 
yust vorne oudt, und you must excuse her; she 
no can coome one more time. Dees has been 
ter greatest berformance Chercago effer hadt, 
und some day soon ve vill gif you one great 
berformance und mit excellence you vill pee sur- 
prised. ’’ The curtain fell again and the crowd 
began to disperse. Joan came around to Cattie ; 
Vilanderschleicher came up and placed two 
checks in her hand. She clutched them in her 
hand as if they were the goal of life, but she 
was speechless. Joan spok^e up in her behalf 
and said : 

''We thank you very much for your generous 
liberality and hope your fortune is made.” 

"Vy, sure it vas; ve vill visit all de citties in 
de vorld und haf more money than Rothchilds 
effer had,” said Vilanderschleicher. Cattie began 
to pull herself together, and whispered to Joan, 
"Get me out of here quick.” Ousterhany, Turpin 
and Weber came down the passage together and 
Vilanderschleicher said : 

"Veil, Mr. Ousterhany, did you see der beau- 
tiful vooman und did you haf an interview mit 
her?” Ousterhany lowered his voice almost to 
a whisper and said: 

"I wish to have a private talk with you.” 

"Allright, coome in here,” said Vilander- 
schleicher, and they entered a dressing room. 


CHAPTER XV. 


After the Wonderful Performance. 

Cattie whispered to Turpin : 

‘‘Get me out of here quick or I shall suffocate. 
I am overcome, completely exhausted.” Turpin 
and Weber picked her up and Joan followed 
them out to the carriages, and when placed in the 
carriage Cattie said: 

“Stop at Mr. Weber’s office.” 

They soon arrived at the office. Weber sent 
out for refreshments and Joan presented the 
deed. Cattie looked at her checks and discov- 
ered that one of them was made out for the 
exact amount of the price of the home. She 
endorsed it and passed it to Joan and said: 

“I am glad this sham is over; I thought I 
never should live through it. You dear, good 
girl, with your angelic gifts, saintly heart and 
Godlike wisdom, no wonder you are always 
happy. I never knew before where happiness 
came from. I thought it consisted of the things 
one possessed, and conditions surrounding us. 
But now I see it is not what we have and what 
we are surrounded by, but what we are and what 
we do, that makes us happy.” 

“Miss Loophold, I believe you are going to 
quit singing and become a lecturer. You are 


One Heart That Never Ached. 175 

getting philosophical, logical and argumentative. 
You have the pathos and eloquence, and these 
are the elements of oratory. If I possessed all 
of these as you do I believe I would lecture 
somebody,’’ said Weber. 

‘‘Yes, Miss Allgaits for instance,” said Turpin. 

'‘He will do a better business if she does the 
lecturing,” said Cattie. 

"Oh, I shall have her lecture every day,” said 
Weber. 

"Yes, I like to talk to Mr. Weber; he is a 
splendid listener,” said Joan. 

"Miss Loophold, can you say as much for me,” 
said Turpin. 

"I hope to be able to sometime,” said Cattie. 

"I think Mr. Turpin listens well now when 
the sentiment suits him,” said Joan. 

"Well, I like this private company so much 
better than that great rabble, but I wish to get 
home before father and mother retire, so we 
must wish you good-night,” said Cattie. On the 
way over to the Loophold home Turpin said : 

"Now, Miss Loophold, I ask you to give me 
permission to speak to your father and mother 
about our marriage?” 

"I will give you my consent if you promise 
me not to irritate him if he looks on the matter 
unfavorably. Father has been greatly worried; 
a change has come into his life now, and I do 
not wish to cast the least obstacle in his way. I 
do not wish to see him ever again give himself 
up to money-making,” said Cattie. 


176 One Heart That Never Ached. 


‘'Oh, sure, I will not irritate him in any way. 
But you have no reason to think he will be 
unfavorable to the marriage have you,’’ said 
Turpin. 

“He likes you; or at least thinks you are 
clever and honorable in your profession, but he 
does not like your profession,” said Cattie. 

“Well, now, as to the matter of profession, 
law is my profession, and Stackhouse is anxious 
to give me a partnership as soon as I please. 
The work I have been doing has paid me well, 
and the experience has been worth much to me 
as a lawyer. I know your father has great 
respect for the legal profession,” said Turpin. 

“Yes, he has, and put to him in that light I 
have no doubt he will be favorable to you,” said 
Cattie. They came to the place and walked in 
and Turpin was introduced to Mrs. Loophold. 
Cattie presented her deed to her father and he 
said: 

“Daughter, is there not some sham about 
this ?” 

“No, sir; not about the deed. It is a bonafide 
deed and the money was first paid to me by 
Vilanderschleicher, and paid by me to Miss 
Allgaits. Mr. Turpin and Mr. Weber are both 
witnesses,” said Cattie. 

“Well, daughter, you know what I think about 
unearned wealth. By my own experience I know 
nothing but trouble and sorrow comes of its 
possession,” said Loophold. 

“Yes, but father, I think we earned this money ; 


One Heart That Never Ached. 177 


at least we came by it honestly. The people paid 
it to hear us sing and if they had not paid it 
for this they would for something else/’ said 
Cattie. 

‘‘When you say we what do you mean ; in 
other words, who earned the money ?” said 
Loophold. 

“I mean Miss Allgaits and myself,” said 
Cattie. 

“Did Miss Allgaits go before the public and 
sing for money? And did she receive an equal 
amount with you?” said Loophold. 

“Yes, sir; she sang but she remained out of 
sight. She did not receive the money because 
the engagement was in my name. She made the 
engagement and whole arrangement to enable me 
to buy the home,” said Cattie. 

“Mr. Loophold, I think the girls richly deserve 
the money. I have never heard such singing in 
all my life and the whole audience went wild,” 
said Turpin. 

“Father, dear, tell me you are pleased. I did 
it all for you and mother,” said Cattie. 

“Well, I am pleased to have such a devoted 
daughter. And I shall be governed about the 
transaction by what your mother thinks of it. 
But before she expresses herself I must say 
no two girls ever really earned such a sum of 
money in that time,” said Loophold. 

“I am proud of the home, more proud of 
Cattie’s success and much more proud of my 
daughter,” said Mrs. Loophold. 


178 One Heart That Never Ached. 

''All right then ; if mother approves of the mat- 
ter so heartily I shall too/' said Loophold. At 
this Cattie caught him around the neck and kissed 
him and then ran into her mother’s arms weeping 
with overjoy. When this demonstration was over 
they went into another room leaving Mr. Loop- 
hold and Turpin alone. Turpin said : 

"I have a more serious matter I wish to speak 
to you about, Mr. Loophold.” 

"The more serious the better I shall like the 
matter you may wish to talk of, Mr. Turpin,” 
said Loophold. 

"Well, sir, I have your daughter’s permission 
to ask your consent to our marriage,” said 
Turpin. Mr. Loophold winced like he had been 
stung and said, 

"You astonish me. I never thought of such 
a thing. How long have you contemplated this 
course ?” 

"Since I first met your daughter, sir,” said 
Turpin. 

"Ah, and that is a very short time for such 
purposes to mature is it not?” said Loophold. 

"The time has seemed long enough to me. I 
have rearranged my matters and made some 
little preparation for such an event. I have 
arranged to give up my present place and take 
a partnership with Mr. Stackhouse,” said Turpin. 

"In that case, sir, I shall try to look favorably 
on your proposal. I shall want to hear what 
my daughter has to say about the matter, and 
also how her mother looks upon the proposal,” 
said Loophold. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 179 

''Thank you, sir, I should like permission to 
call to-morrow evening for your answer and your 
wife’s also,” said Turpin. 

"All right, Mr. Turpin. If nothing intervenes 
by to-morrow evening you shall have an answer. 
I have always regarded you as a likely lad, but 
never dreamed of having you for a son-in-law,” 
said Loophold. 

"Troubling you to bid the ladies good-night 
for me, I shall go. Good-night, sir,” said Turpin. 

"Good-night, sir,” said Loophold. When 
Turpin and Cattie left the office Weber said: 

"Now, Miss Allgaits, this engagement being 
over, I think it a most fitting time for us to 
close ours. As we are not likely to have a 
more opportune time soon, I should like for you 
to tell me your decision. And if you haven’t 
made a decision, tell me the reason? My heart 
is bleeding for an answer.” 

"My decision is made. If I should marry 
anyone it would be you ; but it is too bad for 
you to have a wife that must be hid,” said Joan. 

"If that is your only reason, I insist that you 
accept at once and name an early date when 
we shall be married,” said Weber. 

"There is one other matter I think of that 
ought to be well understood, and that is the 
matter of church membership. I have always 
intended, when I lived where there were churches 
to become a member. And I should feel un- 
pleasant to have a husband who was not a 
member,” said Joan. 


180 One Heart That Never Ached. 

“As to that I was raised by good Christian 
parents and have always intended to be a mem- 
ber of the church. My folks were Baptists and 
they believed in a change of heart; something 
they called regeneration. And as I have never 
experienced anything of that kind I have never 
felt fit to join the church/’ said Weber. 

“I believe what the Bible says about it, that 
if you believe on the Son (Jesus Christ) you 
have eternal life. And I have believed on Him 
since I first heard of Him, so I know I have 
eternal life. If I have had a 'change of heart’ 
I do not know when it took place. And as for 
regeneration I do not know exactly what that 
is,” said Joan. 

“Well, you know the Bible says, 'You must 
be born again,’ 'born from above,’ ” said Weber. 

“Yes, I know, but one cannot born one’s self 
from above, or any other way. I just do what 
the Bible tells me to do. I believe on the Son, 
that is my part, and if I am to be born again, 
or regenerated, that is the supernatural part 
and I know that it will be done,” said Joan. 

“Do you think you would be happier if you 
joined the church?” said Weber. 

“No, sir; I am just as happy as I can be. 
I should not join the church to please myself, 
but to please the Lord,” said Joan. 

“I did not know you were a preacher. I shall 
have no trouble to do right if I can get you 
to be my wife,” said Weber. 

“I am not a preacher, I would not be one if 
it was right for women to preach,” said Joan. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 181 


‘T beg your pardon; I did not mean an or- 
dained church official. I only meant you know 
how to tell one what the Bible requires one to 
do before joining the church/’ said Weber. 

‘Tndeed I think any one ought to be able to 
do that, when it is written in the plainest English 
we have,” said Joan. 

'Tf you can do that you are more competent 
than most preachers,” said Weber. 

‘Tt is not left for us to guess or infer, what 
the Bible requires one to do before joining the 
church. 'He that believeth on the Son hath 
eternal life.’ John 3 : 36. In the great com- 
mission He says, 'He that believeth and is bap- 
tized shall be saved,’ Mark 16: 16. 

"In that scripture baptism seems to have 
saving power,” said Weber. 

"By grace are ye saved,” Eph. 2: 5. And 
again, 'For by grace have you been saved, 
through faith: and that not of yourselves; it is 
the gift of God,’ Eph. 2: 8. Yet again: 'The 
wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God 
is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,’ 
Rom. 6: 23. And yet once more: 'For God so 
loved the world that He gave His only begotten 
Son that whosoever believeth on Him might not 
perish, but have eternal life,’ John 3 : 16. The 
Apostle Paul says in Rom. 10th chapter: 'The 
word is nigh thee, in thy mouth and in thy heart, 
that is the word of faith which we preach, if 
thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, 
and believe in thy heart that God raised Him 


182 One Heart That Never Ached. 

from the dead thou shalt be saved/ Rom. 10: 
8-9. ‘With the heart man believeth unto right- 
eousness and with the mouth confession is made 
unto salvation/ 10. So Paul says, ‘Faith comes 
by hearing the word of God. Because hearing 
is unprofitable unless those who hear believe,’ 
Heb. 4 : 2, therefore, we are urged to give 
earnest heed to the tidings we hear lest we drift 
away from them. Heb. 2:1. Hear, believe, obey. 
Hearing gives the opportunity. Believing gives 
the life, obeying makes the proof of genuineness 
of the faith. For instance Peter says, ‘Make 
your calling and election sure, for if you do 
these things you shall never stumble,’ 2 Pet. 
1 : 10 . 

“Paul says, ‘The spirit himself beareth witness 
with our spirit that we are children of God.’ 
Rom. 8: 16. So, ‘The fruit of the spirit is love, 
joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, 
faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such 
there is no law.’ Gal. 4 : 22-23. Peter says, ‘The 
proof of your faith being more precious than 
gold that perisheth, though it is proved by fire, 
may be found unto praise and glory and honor 
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.’ 1 Peter 1: 7. 
Again Peter says, ‘Beloved, think it not strange 
concerning the fiery trials among you which 
cometh upon you to prove you.’ 1 Peter 4: 12. 
The grace by which we are saved is the free gift 
of God, but the faith through which we are 
saved is an act of the human mind, made pos- 
sible by the weight of evidence, or testimony. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 183 


and the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul says, 
'No man can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the 
Holy Spirit.’ 1 Cor. 12: 3.” 

"I think this is what your old Baptist people 
are contending for when they insist on an ex- 
perience of grace before church membership,” 
said Joan. 

'T see you know more about the Bible and 
religion than I do, and I believe you like to 
talk about it better than about getting married,” 
said Weber. 

“Why, certainly, 'Seek ye first the Kingdom 
of God and His righteousness and all these 
things shall be added unto you,’ Matt. 6: 33,” 
said Joan. 

“Miss Allgaits, do you mean to say you expect 
a satisfactory decision on my part about this 
question before you give me an answer about 
getting married,” said Weber. 

“Why, certainly I do. These are the realities 
of our existence; earthly things and earthly re- 
lations are transient; right spiritual relations are 
immutable and eternal,” said Joan. 

“What do you think of professions of re- 
ligion in these modern revivals?” said Weber. 

“Oh, I am no judge of such matters. Revivals 
are good for the unthinking masses and espe- 

“Miss Allgaits, do most of us move in cur- 
move in currents, like drift wood,” said Joan, 
cially those of a negative nature who simply 
rents, either consciously or unconsciously?” said 
Weber. 


184 One Heart That Never Ached. 


‘‘Doubtless numbers of people do. This is the 
reason I prefer to understand these matters with 
you before we become engaged/’ said Joan. 

“Well, to relieve your mind of any fear of 
friction between you and me on these matters, 
I shall say I recognize your superiority in all 
matters of this kind, and shall be more than 
glad to be governed by your judgment with ref- 
erence to them,” said Weber. 

“Then I would rather marry a dummy and 
hire an Irish woman to dress him and lead him 
about the place,” said Joan. 

“Then I suppose you wish to marry a man 
who depreciates your judgment on all these mat- 
ters, and who differs with you in general?” said 
Weber. 

“No, indeed not, but Mr. Weber, there are 
two kinds of persons with whom I have no 
association whatever, if I know it. Henpecked 
husbands and their viragoes. Both are so abnor- 
mal they become repellent to all proper instinct. 
No, sir; you misunderstand me. If I ever marry 
any man it will be you. But before we are 
engaged you must have personal, individual, dis- 
tinct convictions on all these important questions,” 
said Joan. 

“Then it is useless for me to press my plea 
further at present, for I must confess that upon 
these questions you have discussed so fluently I 
have but the vaguest ideas. But in some meas- 
ure I see the importance of them and shall set 
about looking into them, with the view of making 


One Heart That Never Ached. 185 


decisions on all vital questions at least. To tell 
you the truth, I have never in my life given 
religious matters any serious thought, especially 
since coming into manhood. I shall need a great 
deal of instruction and encouragement. I shall 
call on you for all the help you can give me,” 
said Weber. 

'"All the information you need is in that little 
Testament there on your desk, and all the in- 
spiration and encouragement you need will come 
from the unseen but ever present Holy Spirit. 
As soon as you decide honestly to take this 
matter up and follow the teaching of that book, 
and be led by the influence of that unseen power, 
the work is as good as done,” said Joan. 

'T fear you leave me too well pictured as 
driftwood in the current. May I ask who was 
your teacher in those matters?” said Weber. 

^'The same that I recommend to you ; that 
little Testament and the Holy Spirit. It did not 
seem to me that I had to learn; just as I grew 
and needed knowledge it seemed always to be 
at hand. I have read the Bible since I can 
remember, and I always believed what I read as 
far as I understood it. And since I can remem- 
ber I have been happy, and so far as I know 
my decisions have always been right. That is 
one reason I fear I cannot join the Baptist 
Church ; they require an experience of grace 
composed of conviction, repentance and faith. 
My experience does not go that far. I have no 
remembrance of any conviction, or sorrow, or 


186 One Heart That Never Ached. 

repentance such as they describe in many of 
their experiences,” said Joan. 

'‘Yes, but they claim that somehow children 
who die in infancy are regenerated without re- 
pentance and faith, because they have no need 
of the one, and are incapable of the other,” said 
Weber. 

"Yes, but you see, I did not die in infancy,” 
said Joan. 

"No, but perhaps you have been regenerated 
in the same mysterious way,” asid Weber. 

"I cannot say about that, but I know I be- 
lieve in Jesus Christ. I love God and all the 
people. I know I have the fruit of the Spirit, 
love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, meek- 
ness, self-control, but I never had an experience 
of repentance,” said Joan. 

"I am sure I have had no such experience; 
but it is not because I do not stand in need 
of it. Really I am not sure I know what re- 
pentance is; or faith either, for that matter,” 
said Weber. 

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, 
the evidence of things not seen,’ Heb. 11: 1. 
This is Paul’s definition of faith. Here is my 
illustration,” said Joan, as she took up the check 
she had just received from Cattie. "Here is the 
substance of things hoped for ; that is the money 
price of the house; not the money, but the sub- 
stance of the money ; the evidence of things not 
seen, evidence of the money. I take the check 
and hope for the money. When I present the 


One Heart That Never Ached. 187 

check to the bank upon which it is drawn, I 
receive in money or to my credit the amount 
it calls for. Because the check is the evidence 
of things not seen. Now, if ‘The just shall 
live by faith’ (Gal. 3: 11) then believing is 
possessing. At least as much so as I possess 
the price of that house,” said Joan. 

“Well I must confess I never thought of the 
matter in that light,” said Weber. 

“You see the character and office of Jesus 
Christ is presented to the mind of the hearer in 
human language. Then the testimony of His 
Messiahship from the prophets, and also the tes- 
timony of the Father from the New Testament 
is presented to the mind. When the hearer 
believes the testimony that God gave of His Son, 
the witness, which is the Holy Spirit (1 John 
5 : 10) confirms the belief, faith or acceptance, 
or discovery, for all these words are admissable. 
If I undertake to describe a plot of ground on 
a dark night, you have your eyes turned towards 
the scene. But you cannot penetrate the dark- 
ness with your eyes for they require light to 
make effective their vision. But while looking 
and listening there comes a long, vivid flash 
of lightning, lighting up the whole scene you get 
a clear conception, and the description I gave you 
is confirmed.” 

“Now this is the work of the Holy Spirit,” 
continued Joan, “to dispel the moral darkness and 
confirm the faith, belief, or acceptance of the 
hearer. Real Bible religion is composed of, con- 


188 One Heart That Never Ached. 


caption, feeling, practice. The conception, faith, 
or acceptance, comes by hearing the word of 
God. (Rom. 10: 7). The feeling by the gift of 
the Holy Spirit. (John 1:12, John 3:5-6, 
Romans 5:5). Practice is impelled by a knowl- 
edge of our relation to God, to man and to the 
universe, and perfect or imperfect according to 
the correctness of our conception and the abun- 
dance of the power or influence of the Holy 
Spirit; as Peter says, 'By exceeding great and 
precious promises you are partakers of the 
Divine nature.’ (2 Peter 1:4).” Then she rose 
and bade Weber good-night. 


CHAPTER XVL 


Transformation of the Angel. 

Things moved on as usual in the ‘'windy city/’ 
values advancing in unheard-of leaps and bounds. 
Under the management of Weber, advised by 
Stackhouse, the Coastmyre estate values rose 
forty per cent., and the income from the rent 
roll twenty-five per cent. 

One day during office hours an elegantly 
dressed young man, of extreme modest manners, 
came into Stackhouse’s office. Finding Stack- 
house very busy, he drew out his card, dropped 
it on the desk and turned to retire. Stackhouse 
raised his head, took off his glasses and said : 

“Young man, what can I do for you?” The 
young man pushed the card towards Stackhouse 
and was silent. Stackhouse took up the card, 
replaced his glasses and read, “Rembrant and 
Palgrave, Surgeons, Broadway, New York. 
Removal of scars and restoration of disfigured 
faces a specialty.” Stackhouse took off his 
glasses, looked at the young man and said, “What 
of it?” The young man mildly said: 

“We learn from a warm-hearted old sailor 
that you are the attorney of a lady who had 
the misfortune of being greatly disfigured by a 
burn in her infancy. Also that you are well 


190 One Heart That Never Ached. 

informed, reasonable and considerate. There- 
fore, at the old sailor’s solicitation, we ask you 
to acquaint yourself of the success of our firm 
and advise your client accordingly.” 

“Very well, sir, will you return to-morrow 
morning at 10 o’clock,” said Stackhouse. 

“Yes, sir, with pleasure,” said Palgrave, who 
was the chief surgeon in the firm. He left the 
office and Stackhouse jotted down a couple of 
telegrams and sent them out by the office boy. 
Next morning at 9 o’clock Stackhouse entered 
his office, picked up a telegram and read: 

“Stackhouse, Chicago, 111. Rembrant and 
Palgrave are perfectly reliable and will give en- 
tire satisfaction in any case they may undertake. 
Evarts, Choate & Beaman, Broadway, New 
York.” 

He stuck the telegram in his pocket, looked 
at his watch and took up his work. Precisely 
at ten Palgrave entered the office, greeted Stack- 
house and took the proffered seat. Stackhouse 
said: 

“Doctor, I will arrange for you to meet the 
lady as soon as I know your terms for treating 
the case.” 

“I will take the case and leave the amount of 
the fee to her generosity and your judgment, 
when you see the results,” said Palgrave. 

“No, sir; when you have examined the case 
you must stipulate an exact sum for which you 
will take the case,” said Stackhouse. 

“Very well. In case her health is good and 


One Heart That Never Ached. 191 

the condition of her blood normal, we will treat 
the case for three hundred and fifty dollars, you 
paying hospital expenses, which will be about 
one hundred and fifty dollars,’’ said Palgrave. 

“Come back at one o’clock and you shall meet 
the lady here at my office,” said Stackhouse. 

“All right sir; good morning,” said Palgrave 
and he promptly left the office. Stackhouse sent 
a note to Miss Joan to meet him at the Sagamore 
for lunch at 12.30. He finished his clerical work, 
corrected the proofs of a brief or two, and 
looked up a fine point or two in equity. Promptly 
at 12.30 he stepped into the Sagamore, the most 
fashionable cafe in the city, and found Miss 
Joan awaiting him. They were seated and being 
served by a polite waiter when Stackhouse said: 

“Miss Allgaits, I have an engagement for you 
to meet a handsome young doctor at my office 
at one o’clock. A Mr. Palgrave, a distinguished 
surgeon of New York.” 

“For what purpose should I meet a New York 
surgeon at your office?” said Joan. 

“He desires the honor of treating your face, 
with the view of restoring your original and 
natural features,” said Stackhouse. 

“But that is preposterous; no one ever heard 
of such a thing except in the days of miracles,” 
said Joan. 

“I am not so sure of that; you insist every 
day on greater things, with much less skill and 
no labor at all,” said Stackhouse. 

“Indeed, I am not conscious of insisting on 
things so silly as that,” said Joan. 


192 One Heart That Never Ached. 

“You forget Mr. Loophold, a violent sinner 
for forty years, wilfully and wrongfully pos- 
sessing your patrimony for over fifteen years 
and would have beaten you out of it at court 
if he could. And yet you believe that in one 
night’s penitence and supplication, believing in 
the blessings of God through Christ, he is made 
morally upright. And without one pennyworth 
of restitution his conscience is clear and he is 
put in possession of that peace, that wonderful 
peace. Now, to my mind, it is much easier to 
believe that these skilled surgeons, by scientific 
methods, can straighten the wrinkles out of an 
honest maiden’s face,” said Stackhouse. 

“Oh, Mr. Stackhouse, I thought you were a 
good Christian and a faithful member of the 
church,” said Joan. 

“The latter I think I am. I attend punctually 
all public services of my church. I pay liberally 
to the expense of the church, and give cheerfully 
to all the charities maintained by the church. 
I am on good terms with all men, so far as I 
know. But as to being a good Christian, I do 
not know just what that means. This I do know, 
I come far short of the Divine standard,” said 
Stackhouse. 

“What right have you then to lay any claims 
to the promises?” said Joan. 

“None whatever; it is a matter of free grace 
that God, for Christ’s sake, blesses any of us,” 
said Stackhouse. 

“Yes, I see; not of works, but your proposi- 


One Heart That Never Ached. 193 


tion to straighten my face is a matter of works,” 
said Joan. Stackhouse looked at his watch and 
said: 

'‘Will you oblige me by meeting the doctor 
over at my office?” 

"Certainly, if you wish it, I will go,” said 
Joan, as she drew her little Quaker bonnet well 
over her face. They went to the office and 
exactly at one o’clock Dr. Palgrave entered the 
office. 

"I take pleasure in introducing you to Miss 
Allgaits, Dr. Palgrave,” said Stackhouse. 

"I am pleased to meet you. Miss Allgaits,” 
said Palgrave. 

"Thank you ; I am glad to make your acquain- 
tance,” said Joan. 

"An old friend of yours requested me to call 
on you, and I regret to say I have so little time 
at my disposal that I must rather abruptly come 
to the question,” said Palgrave. 

"No reason to regret; busy people are most 
interesting in all matters,” said Joan. 

"Now, I am right glad to find you so philoso- 
phical. I suppose Mr. Stackhouse told you the 
object of the meeting,” said Palgrave. 

"Yes sir; he says you can remove the scars 
from my face and restore my original features, 
but you know I do not believe it possible,” said 
Joan. 

"It matters not what you believe. If you give 
us an opportunity to treat the case you may know 
that it has been done, and that is better than 
believing it can be done,” said Palgrave. 


194 One Heart That Never Ached. 

‘‘There is but one reason why I would have it 
done, even if I knew it could be done. And 
that is I have a proposal of marriage, and I 
think too much of the young man to let him 
marry a woman who must keep her face hidden. 
Of course if I knew it could be done, for his 
sake I would gladly have it done,’’ said Joan. 

“Well, you are the most interesting woman 
I ever met; your candor is equal to the one in 
the Bible of whom it was said, ‘Behold a man 
in whom there is no guile.’ Now will you permit 
me to examine your face and tell you positively 
what can be done,” said Palgrave. 

“Are you a Christian, doctor?” said Joan. 

“If measured by our fellow Christians, yes; 
if measured by the Divine standard, no,” said 
Palgrave. 

“Do you believe in prayer ; do you believe one 
may be guided in these matters by an unerring 
intelligence?” said Joan. 

“Perhaps I may not fully understand you, and 
you may be too theological for me. I am gov- 
erned purely by professional and scientific 
knowledge in all material matters,” said Pal- 
grave. He presented some photographs, after 
looking at them she said : 

“Are these pictures taken from the same 
face?” “Yes, ma’am, and not over six weeks 
apart,” said Palgrave. 

“Do you think you can make that much im- 
provement in my face in six weeks?” said Joan. 

“I shall better be able to answer that question 


One Heart That Never Ached. 195 


when I have examined your face. Please re- 
move your veil ; it will take but a moment/’ said 
Palgrave. Joan slipped off her bonnet and veil, 
threw her face up to the light in plain view to 
the doctor. When Palgrave first looked at her 
marred visage, he fairly shivered. To think of 
such a face of ugliness and deformity connected 
with such a voice and sweetness of temper was 
an entirely new experience for this young sur- 
geon. He could hardly believe his eyes and ears 
both in the present case. He ran his fingers 
over the wrinkled surface ; felt of the curled 
lips and nose ; rubbed his hand over the crumpled 
ears and said : 

''Did you ever look in a mirror?” 

"Once only,” said Joan. 

"Then, if I tell you I can make you look just 
as you would had you never been burned you 
must not be skeptical, but give me a trial,” said 
Palgrave. 

"Doctor, one cannot believe a thing because 
one wishes it were so; and as much as I would 
like to respect you and rely on your statements, 
I find this incredible,” said Joan. 

"By agreement with your attorney, I am 
charging you a nominal fee; but as evidence to 
you that I can and will do what I say I can, I 
am willing to put up, here in your own city, 
ten thousand dollars forfeit; if I fail it is yours,” 
said Palgrave. 

"I do not want your money. I have more now 
than I like to be responsible for. But I will let 


196 One Heart That Never Ached. 

you know at six o’clock to-morrow morning, if 
I decide to take the treatment,” said Joan. 

‘Tn case you decide to be treated can you be 
ready to start to New York at 6.30 to-morrow 
morning,” said Palgrave. 

‘‘Yes, I have no preparation to make,” said 
Joan. 

“Then, if you decide to go meet me here at 
six,” said Palgrave. Joan left the office and 
Palgrave said to Stackhouse: 

“Will she go?” 

“Yes; I have never known her to make a 
mistake, x>r do a foolish thing,” said Stackhouse. 
Joan called at Weber’s office and said: 

“Mr. Weber, I am thinking of taking a trip 
to New York; should I go I may be gone six 
or eight weeks. I do not wish to tell you now 
why I am going, but I am not going to sing. 

When I return you shall know the object of 
the trip, and I think you will be pleased, and 
if you are I shall be fully satisfied.” Weber 
looked puzzled and said: 

“Are you going to get married?” Joan 
laughed and said: 

“Certainly not, and you not with me?” 

“I beg pardon ; it was rude in me to ask such 
a question when you had just said you did not 
want me to know why you make the trip,” said 
Weber. 

“Well, happy dreams to you, good night,” said 
Joan. 

Weber left to himself tried to figure out 


One Heart That Never Ached. 197 


the purpose of the trip. Sometimes he had 
Captain Granby connected with it and sometimes 
Turpin. Again it would be Stackhouse, then all 
three. At other times it was Miss Cattie Loop- 
hold. Finally he became so bothered about it 
he tried to forget all about it. At six o’clock 
next morning Joan came into Stackhouse’s office 
and found Palgrave there awaiting her answer. 
As she recognized him she said: 

‘‘Doctor, I am ready. Mr. Stackhouse, you 
must cheer up Mr. Weber, but do not tell him 
what I go to New York for.” 

Palgrave ordered their baggage to the depot, 
called a carriage and they were off for New 
York. Turpin was at the depot on a special 
case that required him to take note of all out- 
going passengers. When Dr. Palgrave secured 
two tickets for New York, Turpin watched him 
to see who the other passenger might be, and 
when he saw him checking the baggage he dis- 
covered the name of Joan Allgaits on one of the 
trunks. He approached the doctor and said: 

“Is Miss Allgaits going to New York?” 

“Yes sir; is she an acquaintance of yours?” 
said Palgrave. 

“Yes sir ; my name is Turpin,” said Turpin. 

“My name is Palgrave, Mr. Turpin, I am glad 
to know you,” said Palgrave. 

“Thank you; may I see Miss Allgaits?” said 
Turpin. 

“Yes sir; I am going to her presently,” said 
Palgrave. When the baggage was checked he 


198 One Heart That Never Ached. 


led the way into the waiting room and said to 
Joan : 

“Here is Mr. Turpin, Miss Allgaits.’’ She 
turned and gave him a cordial hand-shake and 
said : 

“Doctor Palgrave, this is one of my dearest 
friends. I am glad you chanced to meet him.” 

“You seem to be making quite a trip, and so 
sudden too,” said Turpin. 

“Yes; I hope you will not be married before 
I get back,” said Joan. 

“How long do you think of being gone?” said 
Turpin. 

“Oh, a matter of six or eight weeks,” said 
Joan. 

“Well, now, I am sorry to hear you are to 
be gone so long, for I am sure Cattie will never 
consent to the marriage a day sooner than your 
return,” said Turpin. 

“Oh, do you really mean you are only waiting 
for the day to be named?” said Joan. 

“That is all ; but where is Weber?” said Turpin. 

“Why, he is at his office, I guess,” said Joan. 

“Is the doctor here a divine or practitioner 
of medicine?” said Turpin. 

“He is a surgeon, I believe,” said Joan. 

“Sure, I thought he was a divine and have 
been looking for Weber to turn up any minute 
for the ceremony to be said. I could think of 
nothing else to take you ofif on such a sudden 
trip,” said Turpin. The train moved up and 
was called ; the passengers rushed for the coaches. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 199 


someone called out ^'all-aboard.’’ Palgrave took 
hold of Joan and fairly lifted her into the coach. 
Turpin remained standing with eyes fixed on the 
door they entered, the bell rang, the wheels 
began to creep and the long train moved out, 
packed with its varied cargo of human life. 

Turpin turned and started for Weber's office, 
saying to himself : 'T will find out what this 
means." When the train passed out of the city 
and people were settling down for the long run, 
it was noticeable that Joan retained her veil and 
little Quaker bonnet completely hiding her face. 
The doctor gave her only courteous attention, 
while all others seemed to avoid her purposely. 
Many unkind thoughts were entertained of her 
and a few ungenerous remarks whispered about 
her hidden face. Finally Joan turned to the 
doctor and said: 

^'Doctor, will the operation be very painful?" 

''No, no, dear; you will be sound asleep, not 
even having an unpleasant dream. You will 
wake up with your face bandaged ; it will not 
even feel sore," said Palgrave. 

"How long will it be bandaged?" said Joan. 

"About eight days," said Palgrave. 

"Then why should it require so many weeks?" 
said Joan. 

"When the bandages are first taken off, you 
will be in a dark room, and the light will be 
gradually let in. After the growth is complete 
it will require a few days to secure proper color 
to the new growth. Then we will take your 


200 One Heart That Never Ached. 

picture and show it to you. We will give you 
a mirror and when you look on your face you 
will be pinching yourself to see if it is really 
you,” said Palgrave. 

'‘You must not joke me, doctor; just tell me 
what I may expect as actual results of the oper- 
ation?” said Joan. 

“Really, dear^ it is better for you to give the 
matter no thought at all, as it might worry you 
and cannot help the matter a bit. The thinking 
has all been done by others, and now this kind 
of a case is no experiment but a scientific oper- 
ation,” said Palgrave. 

“You talk so positive about it one cannot help 
expecting great results. I like people who believe 
in themselves,” said Joan. After this Palgrave 
managed to avoid further discussion of the con- 
templated operation. 

Turpin called on Weber expecting to learn the 
object of Joan’s trip to New York. He was 
greatly surprised when Weber disclaimed any 
knowledge of the object of her trip, and said: 

“I would not have thought you would suflfer 
Miss Allgaits to start on such a trip with an 
entire stranger, and such a fine lookng fellow 
too. What does Stackhouse say about it ?” 

“I haven’t seen him; and if I should I would 
not ask him, because Miss Allgaits told me she 
did not wish me to know why she was going,” 
said Weber. 

“Did she see Cattie before leaving?” said 
Turpin. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 201 

‘‘Not that I know of/" said Weber. 

“By the way, have you heard anything from 
Dave Link?"" said Turpin. 

“Yes, he bought a mining claim out near the 
Gulch,"" said Weber. 

“No word from Hank Stormforth I guess,"" 
said Turpin. 

“Yes, he is out there working for Dave, but 
if you don’t want to entangle Mr. Loophold in 
a bad mess you better let both of these fellows 
alone,"" said Weber. 

“Oh, I go out of this business on the first. 
I have a partnership with Stackhouse,"" said 
Turpin. 

“Well, I merely mention the matter as you 
were inquiring about them, and I happened to 
know that fellow Link has a card up his sleeve 
for you. If you think anything of the Loopholds 
you better let them alone. Dave Link is one of 
the shrewdest men you ever fooled with, and 
Hank one of the worst. Now, whether you 
believe it or not, they have a ton of dynamite 
under the Loophold family and can touch it off 
at any time, at any distance,"" said Weber. 

“Thank you, Weber, would you mind telling 
me how you came by such knowledge ? I thought 
myself and the culprit and one unsuspected per- 
son, the only living mortals who knew anything 
about this awful business,"" said Turpin. 

“I cannot tell who gave me the information 
but, it was given me under promise, on honor, 
that I acquaint you with the facts as given and 
that I tell it to no one else,"" said Weber. 


202 One Heart That Never Ached. 


‘'Well, if this thing is leaking out all around 
the sides like that, it will be impossible to keep 
it from the Pinkertons. My God, it is awful to 
be at the mercy of such men. The only safe thing 
to do would be to go out there and skulk around 
and put their lights out,’’ said Turpin. 

“Mr. Turpin, you have been in this business 
too long, and been too successful, for me to 
offer you advice. But if, as I have heard, you 
have never met your match and wish to keep 
your reputation you had better let Dave Link 
alone. He has some means of learning things 
that are taking place here. He is better posted 
about what is going on in Chicago to-day than 
I am. I sometimes believe he can read your 
thoughts like an open book. If you are going 
out of the business, it is better for others that 
you drop the matter,” said Weber. 

“Mr. Weber, I am obliged to you both for 
your information, your advice and your warn- 
ing. But if it were not for some over whom 
these scapegraces have power to do irreparable 
harm, I would handle them without gloves,” 
said Turpin. 

“Mr. Turpin, if there were no helpless people 
involved I would warn you again that ‘handling 
without gloves’ is a game two or more can 
play at. I reassert you have never tackled Dave 
Link’s equal,” said Weber. 

“If I thought, as I am half a mind to, that 
you are delivering a threat for him in the form 
of advice from you, I would take a picked posse 


One Heart That Never Ached. 203 


and have them both in irons in five days/’ said 
Turpin. 

'‘Yes, and I venture to say if you purposed 
such an undertaking, they would save you half 
the distance by meeting you fully prepared to 
contest your purpose,” said Weber. 

"Am I to understand you are a friend to 
this fellow Link?” said Turpin. 

"Yes, sir,, and none the less a friend to Joe 
Turpin, and also to beautiful Miss Loophold 
too,” said Weber. 

"I am scarcely prepared to believe all of that 
sentence ,and yet I have no reason to doubt the 
latter part of it,” said Turpin. 

"I hope I have made myself understood, and 
when you have taken the sober, second thought 
you will be fully persuaded of my sincerity,” 
said Weber. 

"Dear old boy, I shall give your advice all 
the consideration I would if it had come from 
a king,” said Turpin. Then he rose and stalked 
out of the office. 


CHAPTER XVII. 


Plotting at the Mines. 

Dave Link was sitting in a shack about ten 
feet from the mouth of the shaft out of which 
came the steady sound of a pick. The cool, 
thin air of Colorado is conducive of quick, de- 
cisive thought. Dave had two or three small 
papers crumpled in his hand and two or three 
small envelopes lying at his feet. Suddenly he 
called out: 

‘‘Come up. Hank.’’ A great, beastly looking 
fellow crawled up the rope ladder and gruffly 
said: 

“I thought you had breakfast ready.” The 
speaker, besmeared with dirt, low-browed, high, 
heavy cheek bones, protruding under- jaw, broad 
mouth, firm-set lips, hawk nosed and dull, reso- 
lute looking eyes, made anything but a favorable 
appearance. 

“Well, Hank, if you will treat me white, I 
will keep that hellhound off your trail,” said 
Dave. 

“If I know anything I have been treating you 
white. I have been at work like a coal heaver 
ever since I came to you without ever knowing 
what you are going to give me,” said Hank. 

“I have just had news from the city by the 


One Heart That Never Ached. 205 


lakes. If he ever gets the darbies on you, he 
will send you over the road for life. He has 
some of your tools, and pryed into that sealing 
wax game, besides the old widow remembers 
some things very damaging to your case,’' said 
Dave. 

‘Tf all that is brewing up new, I think I 
will hike out. I am not going to risk you or 
anyone else to keep Turpin off my trail,” said 
Hank. 

‘'Wait till you hear how I have him fixed 
before you get scared,” said Dave. 

‘T know that fellow better than you do. He 
lets you think you have him beaten just to catch 
you,” said Hank. 

“Yes, but in this case it is me that lets him 
think I have got him beaten, just to silence him,” 
said Dave. 

“If both of his legs were broken, and he knew 
he was running his own neck into the halter to 
bag a poor cuss like me, he would do it all the 
same,” said Hank. 

“Perhaps you do not know he cannot use the 
evidence against you without convicting Loop- 
hold, and if you squealed, which you would be 
bound to do, he would implicate one dearer to 
him than Loophold,” said Dave. 

“Have you got proof of all this?” said Hank. 

“Yes, and he knows it; he also knows I can 
touch off the battery without being there; fur- 
thermore he knows I will do it on the least 
provocation,” said Dave. 


206 One Heart That Never Ached. 

‘Tf you are sure you have got him fast, and 
he knows it, tell me what you want done and 
if it is in my line I will do it,” said Hank. 

‘'Well, I want a tunnel started in our shaft 
of The Nine Toed Cat, to run due East eleven 
feet. There you will intercept a tunnel from 
Diaboles, and when they stop work at night I 
want you to go to work like a Stevedore, until 
you get several tons of their best stuff into The 
Nine Toed Cat. Then block up your tunnel, 
set off a heavy blast in The Nine Toed Cat, and 
manage to have Bronson get first sight of the 
rich ore brought up by your blast,” said Dave. 

“And get him to make an offer on The Nine 
Toed Cat?” said Hank. 

“That is it exactly,” said Dave. 

“What's the bounty?” said Hank. 

“That depends on the terms of sale,” said 
Dave. 

“I will do my best,” said Hank. 

When Turpin left Weber's office he went 
direct to Loophold's house. Miss Cattie met 
him at the door and said: 

“Come in, Mr. Turpin; have a seat. You are 
well?” 

“Quite well, thank you, and how are you?” 
said Turpin. 

“Oh, I am always well,” said Cattie. 

“Your father and mother, how are they?” 
said Turpin. 

“They are quite well, thank you,” said Cattie. 

“Miss Loophold, did you know Miss Allgaits 
has gone to New York?” said Turpin. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 207 

‘'No sir; why, is Weber gone too?'’ said 
Cattie. 

“No, and that is the strange part of it. He 
says he does not know why she is gone," said 
Turpin. 

“Do you think Mr. Weber always tells the 
truth?" said Cattie. 

“Yes, Weber is very reliable. He might evade 
the truth in some things, but tell a falsehood, 
never," said Turpin. 

“Well, it looks unreasonable to me that she 
would start to New York and he know nothing 
about it, and they the same as engaged," said 
Cattie. 

“I think Stackhouse knows, but he might not 
be at liberty to tell. Weber says she told him 
she did not wish him to know why she was 
going," said Turpin. 

“Oh, well, then it is just some whim; perhaps 
she goes to buy him a wedding present, a yacht 
or an extra surprise of some kind," said Cattie. 

“Yes, that makes me think of it . I have a 
surprise for you. I have come this morning to 
ask you to name the day for our marriage, and 
then let me take you over and show you our 
pretty home. I am having it superbly fur- 
nished," said Turpin. 

“Has father given his consent?" said Cattie. 

“Yes, heartily. I believe that partnership 
with Stackhouse caught him," said Turpin. 

“Mr. Turpin, could we not live here? You 
know this place is mine, and seems so much 


208 One Heart That Never Ached. 

like home. I fear no other place will/’ said 
Cattie. 

‘'But I heard you tell your father and mother 
you got this for them. I should never feel that 
you were mine if I came here to live. I want 
you to have the home I have earned for you, 
and in the long run it is better for all parties,” 
said Turpin. 

‘T am sure father thinks we are going to live 
here, for I heard him talking to mother about 
rooms,” said Cattie. 

“We shall have to disappoint him in that. 
But we will try to please him in many other 
ways,” said Turpin. 

“Do you know how long Miss Allgaits expects 
to be gone?” said Cattie. 

“She said six or eight weeks. If one knew 
her mission one could have some idea how long 
she might be gone,” said Turpin. 

“Would you mind if I deferred naming the 
day for our marriage until she returns?” said 
Cattie. 

“Oh, I wish you to use your own pleasure 
in the matter; only I so much desired to take 
you to see our home. I had planned to furnish 
a part of the house entirely to your taste,” said 
Turpin. 

“I am not sure that you understand me, but 
somehow I feel that Miss Allgaits has much 
to do with our future,” said Cattie. 

“I cannot see why she should. She has been 
very kind to you, but she is kind to everyone,” 
said Turpin. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 209 


''Yes I know; but I have many times been 
led to think she had something more than kind 
feelings for you/’ said Cattie. 

"Well, I am sure I do not understand you. 
I really think she has the very best and purest 
friendship for me. I know I have for her. I 
do not see how anyone can know her as I do 
and feel otherwise,” said Turpin. 

"That is just what put me to thinking as I 
do. She is so different from me, and I know 
how much you admire her noble traits. I have 
thought if she was good looking, I mean not 
deformed, and being so rich she would be so 
much more attractive to you that you would 
not care so much for me. I have none of her 
sweet temper, natural goodness, wonderful gifts 
in music or foresight. My life has been spent 
acquiring superficial accomplishments, and now 
I see they are not appreciated by any except the 
idle slaves of fashion, and they are so envious 
and selfish they make one miserable,” said 
Cattie. 

"I am very sorry to know you have such an 
opinion of me. I have never professed to you 
that I wished to marry an angel or an heiress 
either. As for that sweet, queer girl, every one, 
except Weber, feels toward her just as I do,” 
said Turpin. 

"I think Weber sometimes feels just as I do 
about it. I believe there are times when he 
has reasons for thinking if Miss Allgaits was 
as good looking as, as — as she would have been 


210 One Heart That Never Ached. 


if she never had been burned, that she would be 
your choice and you would be hers,’’ said 
Cattie. 

‘T must hear you say this without taking 
offense, for I know some dark deception has 
somehow got into your mind. But if Weber 
was to say as much to me he would have me 
to fight, and much as I think of him our friend- 
ship would end. Not that I care what such a 
man as Weber thinks of me, but Weber nor 
any other man can talk like that about that pure, 
innocent, unselfish girl,” said Turpin. 

'T said nothing wrong of her. I think it 
a compliment to her to say that she admires 
you. And I do not think it ought to be an 
offense to you for one to think that if she were 
good looking, being so rich, so sweet and so 
gifted, that you would admire her more than 
you do me,” said Cattie. 

‘‘Miss Loophold, it grieves me very much to 
hear you talk like that. Of course I must not 
be offended with you, but I am surprised at 
your having such an opinion of me, to say 
nothing of your expressing such an opinion of 
that dear, sweet girl,” said Turpin. 

“Why of course you think she is dear and 
sweet, and if she were pretty who could blame 
you for becoming infatuated with her, since you 
know my whole education is superficial, and all 
that I possess comes to me through her gen- 
erosity. My father raised me up believing we 
had always been rich, and caused me to look 


One Heart That . Never Ached. 211 


down on people who were our superiors. The 
wonder to me is that you do not despise me ; 
sometimes I think you will if you ever get to 
know me as I am/’ said Cattie. 

‘'Cattie, dear, I must insist that you talk thus 
of yourself no more to me. Must I tell you 
again that I love you, and that it is not your 
pretty face, nor your estate, nor yet your posi- 
tion in society but you yourself,” said Turpin. 

‘Tardon me, Mr. Turpin, but I cannot under- 
stand how you can love me, for you know I 
am selfish; you know I am proud of my face 
and form, and you know that I put as high 
an estimate on riches as the most covetous ; 
besides, if you were not handsome, portly, young 
and vigorous, well-possessed and well-connected, 
I would have never considered a proposal of 
marriage from you,” said Cattie. 

‘‘Dear Cattie, it is your personality, the very 
spirit you manifest in this strange talk. It would 
not do for me to have a wife who was all 
goodness ; that little pique you manifest becomes 
you as much as Miss Allgaits’ sweetness does 
her,” said Turpin. 

“I fear you might change your mind after 
knowing me better,” said Cattie. 

“Well my time is up. Must I leave without 
having you name the day of our marriage?” 
said Turpin. 

“I prefer to wait till Miss Allgaits returns,” 
said Cattie. Turpin rose to bid her good day 
and said: 


212 One Heart That Never Ached. 

‘T hope she will make her visit short, and 
that you will be ready to name the day as soon 
as she returns, so good by.’’ 

‘‘Good by, Mr. Turpin. Please do not think 
I am whimsical about Miss Allgaits,” said 
Cattie. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


Ready to Touch Off. 

In about four days after Dave Link and Hank 
Stormforth had their understanding about the 
tunnel from The Nine Toed Cat and Diaboles 
Gulch, Hank came into the shack and said: 

‘'She is ready to touch off; better wait till 
morning or touch her off this evening?’’ 

“Touch her off in the morning at five-forty- 
five, and tell Bronson I am gone off on a pros- 
pecting trip, but offer to bring me his proposi- 
tion and return him my answer,” said Dave. 

“She is liable to uncap hades. I planted her 
deep and charged her heavy,” said Hank. 

Promptly at five- forty-five next morning the 
explosion occurred with a mighty crash that 
shook the rock-ribbed hills for miles around. 
Dave was thrown from his bunk. He jumped 
to his feet, dizzy headed, his muscles contract- 
ing, his breath coming irregularly, his heart 
thumping like a trip hammer, his ears roaring 
like two mighty bass drums in a dead march. 
Rock and ore fragments were falling like 
shrapnel from forty double-action rapid-fire 
revolving cannon in action. As soon as Dave 
got control of his faculties he said: 

“What in kingdom come has the fool done? 


214 One Heart That Never Ached. 


ril bet he has wrecked the whole proposition.’’ 

Miners, prospectors, and camp bums for five 
miles’ distance were shocked, and headed for the 
source of disturbance. When Hank crept from 
his place of safety the ground was covered all 
around the mouth of The Nine Toed Cat with 
chunks of rich ore rocks, clay and gravel. He 
approached the mouth of the shaft and discov- 
ered it was converted into a shapeless condition, 
the banks all chivered and crumbled in. But 
mixed all among the debris were fragments of 
rich ore. 

Among the early arrivals were Mr. Bronson 
and his imported expert. Hank said: 

‘T knew I drilled into the richest piece of dirt 
that had ever been tapped. Look at the chunks 
of pure gold lying all around here. I saved some 
of the drillings, the last of it was nearly solid 
free gold.” Here he took out a small glass jar 
and passed to Bronson, who looked at and passed 
it to the expert. He turned it about and said : 

“This is a hundred and fifty per cent, richer 
than anything that ever came out of Diaboles 
Gulch. The Nine Toed Cat is the cream of 
America.” 

Bronson picked up a chunk of ore and said : 
“This is not bad.” 

“It looks good to me,” said the expert. 

“Where is Link?” said Bronson. 

“He has gone on a prospecting trip,” said 
Hank. 

“I should like to make him an offer on his 
find,” said Bronson. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 215 

''Make your offer and I will take it to him 
and return you his answer/’ said Hank. 

Bronson looked at the expert and said : "What 
do you suggest?” 

"A half million, if you do not want some other 
company to work The Nine Toed Cat,” said the 
expert. 

"All right; we will look after these fragments 
till you return,” said Bronson, as he handed Hank 
his bid in writing. Hank took it and made for 
the shack. Dave looked at the figures and said, 

"She pops. Now you go off for an hour or 
two then take him this,” handing Hank a slip of 
paper. Hank took the papers and struck out 
over the hills. He met two fellows who said, 
both at once, "Have you had an earthquake over 
at the Gulch?” 

"Almost. I put an overcharge in The Nine 
Toed Cat, aiming to blow her into smitherines. 
I came mighty near doing it, and wrecked the 
Diaboles and strewed pure gold all over the hill. 
I am hunting for Link, Bronson wants to buy 
him out,” said Hank. In a couple of hours he 
returned and handed Bronson Dave’s acceptance 
of his offer. Bronson gladly wrote him out his 
check for the amount and Hank sneaked off to 
the shack and said to Dave: 

"Here is your stuff.” Dave took the check 
and said: 

"Could you have gotten him to a round million ; 
not that I need the amount, but round numbers 
are so easily counted.” 


216 One Heart That Never Ached. 

‘T took his first offer and now I want my 
bounty. I must get away from here before he 
finds the tunnel/’ said Hank. 

‘‘How would twenty-five strike you ?” said 
Dave. Hank turned black in the face and 
swelled up like an old surly going into a pitched 
battle and said: 

“Do you think I would run my neck into such 
a halter for twenty-five dollars? I would rather 
get me a bunch of skeleton keys and operate in 
Chicago.” 

“If you ever enter Chicago your trade will be 
pulling hemp,” said Dave, while he was almost 
ready to laugh at Hank’s unreasonable mistake, 
for he really meant twenty-five thousand. But 
seeing Hank shrink under the suggestion of pull- 
ing hemp, he said: 

“I mean twenty-five hundred.” At this Hank 
unbent his sullen brow and said: 

“That sounds more like you, Dave, and yet you 
might have made it twice that sum. But fix me 
up what you please and do it right now. I 
do not intend for the sun to rise on me here 
once more.” 

“I am ready to fix you up all right, but you 
must understand if you ever enter Chicago, I 
am not to go bail that you may not hang for that 
Weatherall job,” said Dave. 

“Now, Dave, for God’s sake don’t throw that 
awful thing in my face any more. You may just 
bet your bottom dollar if I ever get clear of all 
who know about that I will never sneak back 
into Chicago,” said Hank. 


One Heart That Never Ached. 217 


‘'Well, now, if you leave no trace of your 
trail from here and never return to Chicago, I 
will guarantee that Turpin nor any of the Pinks 
will never trouble you,” said Dave. 

“Are you a pretty good hand to write up a 
report of a tragedy?” said Hank. 

“Yes, if I had the material I think I could,” 
said Dave. 

“Well, to-morrow morning you be coming in 
off that prospecting trip, and just over the turn 
of the hill, at the Haunted Hollow, you will find 
where an explosion took place this evening, and 
you will find the fragments of my old clothes, 
a few pieces of human flesh, and if it suits your 
plan you may find that Bronson check and frag- 
ments of a ten dollar bill or two, and scraps 
of paper:” 

“Can you fix it up on such evidence as that?” 
said Hank. 

“I can if you leave the sign there,” said Dave. 

“The sign will be there alright,” said Hank. 
He then packed up everything suited to his pur- 
pose and the remainder of a case of dynamite and 
stalked off up the North trail. At sundown an- 
other terrific explosion was heard in that direc- 
tion. The old hills seemed to be riven by a 
giant clap of thunder. Next morning Dave came 
tramping down the trail with two old prospec- 
tors. And to his amazement he met the whole 
camp on the slope of Haunted Hollow. A great 
hole was torn out of the side of the hill and 
fragments of old clothes, shoes, hat and a few 
scraps of flesh and several wisps of human hair. 


218 One Heart That Never Ached. 

‘'What in kingdom does this mean said Dave. 
. “Another explosion/’ said Wallgreen. 

“I haven’t heard of any before,” said Dave. 

“I reckon you knew The Nine Toed Cat was 
blown up, and the Diaboles wrecked, didn’t 
you?” said Wallgreen. 

“No; who did it?” said Dave. 

“Your pard,” said Wallgreen. 

“Who, Hank?” said Dave. 

“That’s the purp,” said Wallgreen. 

“How do you know ?” said Dave. 

“By the scraps of his old clothes,” said Wall- 
green. 

“You don’t mean Hank’s blown up do you?” 
said Dave. 

“From the hieroglyphics left on the wall of this 
old Haunted Hollow that’s the way it reads,” said 
Wallgreen. 

“What evidence have you?” said Dave. 

“Here is a piece of his old hat ; right down 
yonder is a piece of his old shoe. We found 
a whole hank of thread and three or four patches 
of his old breeches, and two or three bits of 
flesh about as big as fish bait. Seems like any- 
body could read that ; besides Grovithacskii found 
a great wisp of his old mangy hair,” said Wall- 
green. 

Here Dave picked up some scraps of paper, 
several parties came up and on examination they 
discovered pieces of two or more ten dollar bills. 
They found a piece of his old pocket-book and 
in this, tucked away snug and crisp, was the 


One Heart That Never Ached. 219 

Bronson check for five hundred thousand dollars 
payable to Dave Link. On the back of the check 
was an awkward attempt at Link’s endorsement. 

‘'What on earth does this mean ; did Hank 
forge this and did you fellows blow him up on 
purpose?” said Dave. 

“No, that’s Bronson’s bonafide check signed by 
his own hand for the purposes expressed. That’s 
what he gave you for your mine,” said Wall- 
green. 

“That’s all news to me. If I have sold any 
mine I have lost my mind for I have no recol- 
lection of it whatever. When I left camp Hank 
was packing to leave for Chicago. But it now 
seems he has gone on a much longer journey,” 
said Dave. 

“Didn’t you authorize Hank to sell The Nine 
Toed Cat to Bronson?” said Wallgreen. 

“I told him I didn’t care a snap what he did 
with the old Cat. I never intended to spend 
another dollar on that bewitched hole,” said Dave. 
While they were discussing these matters Bron- 
son came up and said : 

“A very sad affair indeed, poor fellow; I fear 
he was not prepared to die.” 

“In some ways he was a good sort of a fellow, 
but he was profane and in some ways rather 
tough,” said Dave. 

“I suppose the deal in the mine is all straight, 
is it?” said Bronson. 

“I know nothing whatever about it,” said Dave. 

“That is very remarkable; he brought me a 
full title signed in your name,” said Bronson. 


220 One Heart That Never Ached. 

“That may be very true, and so far as I care, 
you may keep it; but I never signed it, and still, 
if you are satisfied I am. And as this dreadful 
thing has occurred just as I was returning to this 
unlucky hole, if you will let these two old pros- 
pectors have what trumpery I left at the shack 
I shall not go a step nearer,’’ said Dave. 

“All right, Mr. Link; they are quite welcome 
to the trumpery and the shack too. Nothing was 
included in my deal but the mine,” said Bronson. 

The two old prospectors made straight for the 
camp to take possession of their unexpected in- 
heritance, and Dave Link struck for the nearest 
point from which he could get a ticket to Chicago. 
The miners remained on the grounds of the last 
explosion until they decided they could not find 
enough of Hank to make a pretence of a burial 
and returned to the camp. When Dave reached 
Denver he turned the Bronson check into New 
York exchange and took the next East-bound 
train out of Denver. 


CHAPTER XIX. 


The Transformation Completed. 

Palgrave and Joan, on arriving in New York 
went to the Bellevue Hospital and secured 
accommodations for Joan. Dr. Rembrant met 
them and Palgrave said: 

‘'Well, doctor, I have here the finest subject 
in the world for a facial operation. This is Miss 
Allgaits, the richest girl in America, and I may 
say the finest character I ever met. And yet 
she is absolutely without a face.’’ 

“Glad to meet you. Miss Allgaits, and I assure 
you we can grow you as fine a face as you 
ever looked at,” said Rembrant. 

“Thank you, sir, but I will have to see the 
face to believe your statement,” said Joan. 

“No, you are mistaken. Miss Allgaits, I beg 
pardon, but you believe it now, else you would 
not be here to undergo the operation. When 
you see your face you will know it has been done. 
Here is where psychology comes in, but we will 
not fall out about expression,” said Rembrant. 
Palgrave brought in an artist and said: 

“Doctor, we must have Miss Allgaits’ picture.” 

“Why, yes ; will you remove your veil. Miss 
Allgaits?” She slipped off her veil and bonnet 
and Rembrant was speechless at the sight. The 


222 One Heart That Never Ached. 


artist took her picture from three separate views 
and retired to develop them. The doctors made 
preparation for the operation. 

The next day Joan fell into a profound sleep, 
about nine in the morning, and woke up about 
six in the evening. Her entire face was closely 
bandaged. The only unusual sensation she ex- 
perienced was a numb feeling of the whole 
body. She had a tube in her mouth through 
which to take nourishment and two others enter- 
ing her nostrils, through which to breathe. These 
tubes passed through the bandages. She dis- 
covered she could not see and raised her hand 
to her face and found both hands were ban- 
daged to the elbow. The nurse said: 

“Be perfectly still, honey, we are taking your 
picture. You have had a fine nap; do not try 
to talk. If you are hungry hold up your right 
hand. If you want water hold up your left 
hand, and you will be attended. We do not 
want you to talk or move. We are going to 
make you the prettiest face you ever saw. I 
shall not talk to you now for several hours. 
If you get too lonesome hold up both hands 
and I will put my hand on you and you will 
know someone is by you that loves you.’’ 

In fifteen minutes Joan was sound asleep, and 
for forty-eight hours she never moved, except 
that regular, smooth breathing of healthy sleep. 
When she awoke she thought she had slept an 
hour. She held up her right hand and immed- 
iately she was fed through the tube in her 


One Heart That Never Ached. 223 


mouth. The food was an elixir ready prepared 
for the system. It satisfied her hunger and she 
fell asleep again. She continued to wake, at 
intervals, the length of which were unknown to 
her, as she was shut off from all time measure. 

Finally the end came. She woke up and the 
bandages were all gone. She opened her eyes 
and could distinguish a faint grey light. She 
was afraid to put her hand to her face, but she 
caught one of her hands in the other and they 
felt so smooth and soft, a burst of joy leaped 
into her soul and she exclaimed : 

‘'What a pair of hands.’’ 

“They are yours, dear, and they look just like 
baby hands, so sweet and chubby,” said the 
nurse. 

“Are they going to fix my face like that?” 
said Joan. As she said this she felt the nurse 
bend over her, received a warm kiss and felt 
a tear on her cheek. Then in a half-choked 
voice the nurse said: 

“Your face is fixed, dear. You have the most 
beautiful face I have ever looked at.” Joan 
put her hand gently to her face and said : 

“I cannot believe it.” 

“No, dear, you can never believe it any more; 
you now know it. ‘What one seeth why doth 
he yet hope for it?’ You can never hope for 
or believe this may be done again. But you can 
appreciate the science and skill that made such 
a feat possible,” said the nurse. The light in the 
room was increased day by day until the normal 


224 One Heart That Never Ached. 


was reached. The artist came in and took her 
picture again. When this was developed and 
finished it was brought to Joan. She looked at 
it in amazement and said: 

'T cannot believe it.’’ 

‘‘No, dear, you cannot believe it any more, so 
do not try. You must try to realize it, for you 
now know it is a fact,” said the nurse. She 
then led Joan to a large mirror and when she 
looked herself in the face she said: 

“This is a miracle.” Palgrave came in and 
said : 

“Miss Allgaits, this is a success beyond our 
expectation. The fine expression of your face is 
not due so much to our skill as it is to the 
state of mind you sustained during the process 
of growth. You look now just as you think; 
if a comparison could express it, you look like 
a very pretty babe.” 

“When can I go to Chicago?” said Joan. 

“The instant you wish to start,” said Palgrave. 

“That is next train?” said Joan. 

“Shall I have the pleasure of seeing you back 
to Chicago?” said Palgrave. 

“If you will see me to the train, I shall be 
thankful,” said Joan. 

“Shall I take that as a refusal to allow me 
to travel with you, since I am going to Chicago 
on the same train,” said Palgrave. 

“Oh, that is different. I thought you were 
only going for my benefit,” said Joan. 

“Indeed, I am going for my own benefit; at 


One Heart That Never Ached. 225 

least I hope so/’ said Palgrave. In less than 
two hours they were on the train for Chicago. 

After leaving Denver Dave Link made a few 
stops before reaching Chicago. The morning he 
arrived he met Turpin at the depot and said : 

‘'Hello, Turpin ; you are still at your old 
trade ?” 

“Who is that?” said Turpin. 

“Link, Dave Link. I guess you remember me 
now, don’t you?” said Dave. 

“Why certainly, Mr. Link. Where did you 
come from and when did you get in?” said 
Turpin. 

“I came from Denver and just arrived,” said 
Dave. 

“What about that newspaper report that Hank 
Stormforth was blown up? What do you know 
about it?” said Turpin. 

“Well, I saw a few pieces of his old clothes, 
two or three bits of flesh and a hole in the 
ground you could have buried an elephant in,” 
said Dave. 

“How did it happen?” said Turpin. 

“I am sure I cannot tell. Some mines had 
been wrecked by an explosion and he was sus- 
pected somehow. But whether he blew himself 
up, or was blown up by others, I do not know. 
I was not in the vicinity at the time it occurred,” 
said Dave. 

“How did you come out financially in the mine 
business?” said Turpin. 

“Oh, I picked up a little stuff, first and last,” 
said Dave. 


226 One Heart That Never Ached. 

“Have you met Weber?'’ said Turpin. 

“No, I am going there now," said Dave. 

“Good, I am on my way there too, so we can 
walk and talk," said Turpin. So they chatted 
about things in general until they reached Weber's 
office. When Weber saw them enter, he dropped 
his pen and met them with unusual cordiality, 
and said: 

“Why how are you both; the last two men I 
expected to see together, and just at a time to 
be appreciated. Miss Allgaits is on her way 
home and I need you both to help me give her 
a pleasant reception." 

“When will she be in?" said Turpin. 

“Nine-thirty," said Weber. 

“Where has she been?" said Dave. 

“New York," said Weber. 

“What business had that queer little girl in 
New York?" said Dave. 

“I do not know," said Weber. 

“What kind of a reception do you wish to 
get up for her?" said Turpin. 

“Oh, I thought we would get up a small party 
of friends and would meet her at the train," 
said Weber. 

“Why yes, get Mrs. Dupont and Allgaits, 
Stackhouse and the old captain," said Turpin. 

“Yes, and you go over and get Miss Loophold," 
said Weber. 

“She would be delighted," said Turpin. 

“Go for her then and I will go for Captain 
Granby," said Dave. This was agreed to and 


One Heart That Never Ached. 227 

Dave and Turpin started on their mission, while 
Weber set himself to improve his personal 
appearance. First he went to his barber, then 
to the tailor and returned looking his best. 
Turpin reached the Loophold place and was met 
at the door by Cattie. 

‘'Miss Loophold, I beg pardon for this unan- 
nounced visit, but Miss Allgaits arrives at nine- 
thirty. We want to meet her at the train, and 
Weber asked me to come for you. Will you 
please go with us?’' said Turpin. 

“With the greatest of pleasure. Who all are 
going?” said Cattie. 

“Allgaits, Mrs. Dupont, Captain Granby, Dave 
Link, Weber, Stackhouse, and you and I,” said 
Turpin. 

“She will feel honored ; do you think she comes 
home much improved?” said Cattie. 

“I hope she is enough improved to leave off 
that old veil and Quaker bonnet,” said Turpin. 

“You wish she may, but do you really think 
it possible?” said Cattie. 

“Certainly I do; what do you think about it?” 
said Turpin. 

“I know so little of such things I scarcely 
know what to think about it. I would almost 
give my ears to see her look well,” said Cattie. 

“You shall see that and keep your ears, but 
I insist that you agree for Miss Allgaits to name 
the day of our marriage,” said Turpin. 

“If she is real handsome, and still clings to 
Weber, and you do not fall in love with her 


228 One Heart That Never Ached. 

at sight, I will consent for her to name the 
day, provided she and Weber will get married 
the same day,” said Cattie. 

“All right. I shall hold you to that, and I 
must see Weber and push him up,” said Turpin. 

“Shall we go by his office? I should like to 
see him myself before she comes,” said Cattie. 

“Oh, yes; we go there to get the party to- 
gether,” said Turpin. 

“I believe I am ready,” said Cattie. At the 
office they found the party made up and waiting. 
After a few polite greetings they went in a 
body to the depot. 


CHAPTER XX. 


Return of the Transformed Angel. 

The train pulled in and the usual stream of 
passengers poured out. Weber and Turpin 
stood near watching for Joan. Many finely 
dressed ladies passed out, several of whom were 
met by fathers, husbands, brothers or sweet- 
hearts. No little Quaker bonnet appeared and 
they were feeling disappointed when Palgrave 
bumped up against them. He stopped to apolo- 
gize and Turpin recognized him and said: 

‘‘Hello, doctor ; where is our little queen ?” 

“Why, if it is Miss Allgaits you inquire for, 
she passed between you two gentlemen just this 
minute,’’ said Palgrave. 

“You do not mean that dashing young lady 
all ablaze with jewels and sparkling with dia< 
monds?” said Turpin. 

“That was Miss Joan Allgaits,” said Palgrave. 
The two astonished inquirers turned to look just 
in time to see her rush into Cattie’s arms. Cattie 
at first was frightened, then amazed and over- 
whelmed with ecstacy and admiration. She said, 

“Oh, what a change; you look just like I 
always thought you ought to, the most beautiful 
woman in the world.” Allgaits took her in his 
arms, at first speechless, then he said: 


230 One Heart That Never Ached. 

‘‘Just like your mother.’’ The old captain said, 

“That beautiful banshee will never visit earth 
again.” Stackhouse took her hand and said: 

“I must hear you speak before I can believe 
my eyes.” 

“I guess I shall have to call Dr. Palgrave to 
prove my identity,” said Joan. 

“No that voice is witness enough,” said Stack- 
house. On the way to Weber’s office Turpin 
w^alked with Joan and Weber with Cattie. 

“Miss Allgaits, I have a favor to ask of you,” 
said Turpin. 

“If reasonable, it is granted,” said Joan. 

“It is perfectly reasonable. I have Miss 
Loophold’s consent for you to name the day of 
our marriage,” said Turpin. 

“Are there any conditions?” said Joan. 

“Yes, you and Weber are to be married the 
same day,” said Turpin. 

“All right; I am prepared to name the day,” 
said Joan. 

“Then let us make a little surprise for our 
party and have all of them present,” said Turpin. 
Weber and Miss Loophold came up and Turpin 
moved over to Miss Cattie’s side and said: 

“The arrangement is made.” 

“All right,” said Cattie. 

“All right then, to-day is the day named for 
your wedding,” said Joan. During this short 
discussion Turpin managed to get over to Cattie’s 
side and leave Weber and Joan to make the 
remainder of the trip together. As they came 
in sight of the office Weber said: 


One Heart That Never Ached. 231 

‘'Miss Allgaits, I suppose that was a joke about 
Turpin and Cattie getting married to-day.” 

“Indeed I think not,” said Joan. 

“Then I trust you will be as prompt to name 
the day for our marriage,” said Weber. 

“Really I think that is included as the con- 
dition,” said Joan. 

“You have named the day then; I am cer- 
tainly gratified. I shall send a note to the min- 
ister at once. What hour shall I tell him to 
come?” said Weber. 

“Twelve sharp, and surprise the whole com- 
pany,” said Joan. 

“All right. I will scratch oflF a little note and 
send it by the first messenger boy we meet,” 
said Weber. He did so and in a few minutes 
the boy was on the way on double-quick time. 

“Suppose we give them all a little surprise 
by having the minister call at twelve sharp and 
have the ceremony before lunch,” said Turpin. 

“All right; the company will all be present by 
that time,” said Cattie. So Turpin called a 
passing messenger boy and gave him a note for 
the minister. Allgaits and Mrs. Dupont lingered 
in the rear of the company and Allgaits said : 

“If you will consent, I should like to surprise 
the company by having the minister call at the 
lunch and marry us while the little company are 
all together. Of course setting the day for 
Turpin and Miss Loophold was only a joke,” 
said Allgaits. 

“All right, I give my consent,” said Mrs. 


232 One Heart That Never Ached. 

Dupont. Allgaits at once dispatched a messen- 
ger for the minister to come to Weber’s office 
at twelve o’clock sharp. The preacher was in his 
study absorbed in some abstruse subject, a rap 
at the door, a boy rushed in and presented a 
note which read: 

‘‘Dr. Ashmoor, please come to Weber’s office. 
No. — River Street, at twelve sharp, to perform 
a wedding ceremony. Very, very truly, Richard 
Weber.” 

As this messenger passed out another rushed 
in and presented a note which read : 

“Dear Dr. Ashmoor, please meet us at Weber’s 
office. No. — River Street, at twelve sharp. We 
wish to get married. Respectfully, Joe Turpin.” 

Before this note was read another boy pushed 
a third note into his hand which read : 

“Dr. Ashmoor, Dear Sir : Will you kindly step 
over to Weber’s office. No. — River Street, at 
twelve sharp and perform a marriage ceremony 
for us. Respectfully, Conway Allgaits.” 

This shower of notes puzzled the preacher, 
but he thought through some mistake these sev- 
eral notes had been sent for the same parties. 
He made the necessary preparation and precisely 
at twelve stepped into Weber’s office. After the 
usual greeting and an introduction to Dr. Pal- 
grave, he expressed great surprise at meeting so 
many, hoping thereby to learn who were the 
candidates for matrimony. No one gave the 
hint so he said: 

“Will the candidates for matrimony present 


One Heart That Never Ached. 233 

themselves?'’ Simultaneously the three couple 
rose and advanced toward the minister. He was 
still more embarrassed but thought the next step 
would distinguish the candidates. So he said: 

‘'Will you please join your right hands?" The 
three couples simultaneously joined right hands. 
He could hide his embarrassment no longer and 
said : 

“Ladies and gentlemen, will you kindly tell 
me who are getting married?" Each couple in- 
dicated that they were the candidates. Then 
with more embarrassment than ever he said: 

“If I am marrying the whole bunch you will 
please form a half circle in front of me?" which 
they did, then he said: 

“Will you gentlemen take the lady whom you 
now respectively hold by the right hand to be 
your lawful wife?" 

“Yes sir," each responded. 

“Will you ladies take the gentlemen whom 
you now respectfully hold by the right hand to 
be your lawful husband?" 

“Yes sir," was the response. “Then in the 
presence of these witnesses and before Almighty 
God, I pronounce you all legally married accord- 
ingly.” 

Lunch was immediately served and the party 
began to break up. Allgaits and his wife left 
first; then Turpin and Cattie started for their 
newly-made home. Stackhouse and Palgrave 
retired next; then Joan and Weber went over 
to her rooms to have some changes made. This 


234 One Heart That Never Ached. 

left Captain Granby and Dave Link in the office 
together The old captain led out by saying : 

“Dave if I had a seaworthy craft at my com- 
mand, I should spend my last days on the high 
seas.” 

“Well, sir, I was just thinking if you would 
take me as mate you couldn’t get off land too 
soon to suit me. I am tired of these land lub- 
bers,” said Link. 

“But where to get the craft just now is the 
question?” said Granby. 

“I have been making some inquiry, and I 
learned this morning of a fairly good craft of 
about thirty ton, on the market at a bargain,” 
said Dave. 

“Can we see her right away?” said Granby. 

“Yes sir; the agent is anxious to make a 
sale. Shall we examine at once?” said Dave. 

“Yes, if there is any chance to load out, I 
should like to sail at once,” said Granby. 

“If you would like loading to Australia, there 
is a cargo of seed wheat in waiting,” said Dave. 

“That heads us for the high seas at once; 
the very thing we want,” said Granby. They 
hastily examined, purchased and loaded the Saint 
Cloud and at seven o’clock the next morning 
sailed. 


The End. 


JUL 8 1911 


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